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Or....
Show little of the costume and environment. Admittedly this painting is too small to require compositional devices but I couldn't resist posting it as an example of simplification. I used this painting sightly cropped and edited) for my business card (as you can see) because it causes people to respond and want to know more about the subject.
I do agree that it is very important to set up the painting with a thoughful and appropriate props. I have, however, worked on a painting that the client thought had "something wrong with the likeness" only to discover finally that the subject never wore ties. And yet I was supplied with same for the painting and it was this conflict that made things look "not quite right".
This thread also reminded me of one of my favorite Chase quotes; "Subject is not important. Anything can be made attractive.... aim to make an interesting subject so inviting that people will be charmed at the way you've done it." Also "Do not try to paint the grandiose thing. Paint the commonplace so that it will be
distinguished."
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