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I took this commission down payment before seeing the reference photo, which was not perfect. I now am in the mindset to only paint from my own setup which will guarantee the most favorable results.
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I've been there and it's a tough painful lesson. Unless she becomes a better communicator, you will never know the real reason she rejected your efforts. Try to laugh on your way to the bank...the ball is now in her court and it is up to her to take the next step. You'll know better next time to get a good reference photo or nix the job.
I had a portrait blow up in my face too. It was a woman who came to me and wanted her adult daughter painted. She told me how four other portrait artists (and they were good ones) had "failed." I should have smelled a rat, but I gave it my best shot and got what I thought was a good likeness. She hated the picture. She practically shouted that her daughter looked like a "spoiled brat" and then she stomped off. Somehow "spoiled brat" didn't really tell me why she disliked the painting. I kept the downpayment as she did not ask me to return it. Now she has five "failed" artists that I know of to complain about, a lot less money in her bank account and no portraits to hang on her wall.
As to some other artists who got rejected:
All the impressionists.
Me.