Blake and Brooke
 

Please critique Blake and Brooke. Size 30" x 24" oil on linen. Painted from a composite of three different photos. Will post one of the references.

Thanks.

The boy's head does not fit comfortably on his body....where are your reference photos for this?

Karin,

Thanks for looking. Unfortunately I posted this some time ago. This was a very difficult painting and taught me some valuable lessons. The mother wanted her arm from one photo, his head from another and her face from another. You are right, there is something off. It is too late to correct it I am sad to say.

If I ignore the anatomy, I am struck at how good and strong your composition is. Overall, I do like this portrait.

Anyhow you're in good company. A lot of Old Master paintings are not exactly anatomically correct. Even the great Ingres managed to toss a few extra vertabrae into his "Odalisque."

Besides, I think that artistic composition is more important than mere anatomy.

I see what you mean. That's the longest torso I've ever seen, I guess he got a little carried away. I'm glad you like it, that makes me feel a whole lot better about it.