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Underpainting Reply
Hi,
I just took a look at your painting there are a few structural problems that I notice.
The first problem that struck me was her jaw line. I find the jaw line to be crucial in a portrait. It is amazing what a slight adjustment to the jaw can do to a likeness. You might spend some time looking back and forth from the image to your painting. Her left cheek seems to extend too low.
Another structural problem is in her forehead. It seems wide to me. Before I ever move into details like the eyes and mouth I make sure the shape of head and jaw are accurate. I think it was Sargent who said that features are but dots on the apple (something like that anyway?) I keep that in mind when I work. Don't move past the basic shapes until you have them carefully laid out. The details like eyes, nose and mouth will fall into place was you have the jaw and shape of the head correct.
Her nose is a bit pinched at the end too. Keep on going. She is a lovely girl and an underpainting is the best place to make changes.
I hope that helps,
Lara Cannon
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