My son, Brad
 

This is a portrait I just finished of my son, Brad. 16"x20" I was wondering if his head is too low on the canvas and welcome any other suggestions. Also, I tried out Yes! canvas for the smooth texture. If I were to do it again, I would use several coats of gesso before painting. It doesn't take scrubbing very well and the fabric seems to pill up.

It doesn't seem too low to me....love the skin tones against that background!

Dear Linda,

I very much like the overall design of Brad's portrait. It is a simple and successsful value scheme, and you have really handled this beautifully. I think your painting shows a great deal of sensitivity for edge and color transitions, something I work on every day myself.

For my personal persuasions, yes, I think there is too much room on the top:) I think it is hard to have lots of room at the top, although I have seen some painters make it signature, beautifully designed approach. Peggy Baumgaertner uses a rule of thumb - not cast in stone!- to leave a forehead's length between the frame and the top of the silhouette.

I'd love to hear about the Yes Canvas. I am sort of lazy so I would probably avoid buying a canvas that needs work... even better, if you are attending the November Portrait Artists of Arizona meeting, would you bring the painting?

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I will bring it to the meeting with me. I remembered after I was nearly done that I had read somewhere to put the chin above center unless it's only head and shoulders. It doesn't bug me too much on this painting, but I will pay more attention in the future. I appreciate the additional rule of thumb.

Linda,

I love the portrait. The head placement feels right to me. I'm also struck by the way you centered his head with respect to the horizontal dimension. It accentuates his direct, intense gaze with his generally benign expression and relaxed pose. He comes across to me as someone who is very perceptive without judging, well put together but casual.