I am so glad to have found this forum. Thank you all for your support. Steven, I had such difficulty posting this first photo (Cynthia did it via e-mail attachment) that including the reference photo is not feasible at this time. I do have a (dinosaur) scanner, now only if I can find the software... I will work on this photo thing.
Every morning while having coffee on my porch, I paint in my mind. Actually putting paint to canvas (paper in this case) is procrastinated. I feel that all of my work must be "good" and therefore balk at starting. I have limited space for painting as I operate my business from home and available space is sparse. Therefore my work in progress is usually "out there" somewhere for visitors (and clients) to see. Even if I had a studio (with a door on it) my friends and family want to see what I am currently working on. I would be much more apt to paint freely if I didn't have this problem. Funny how creative process draws a crowd. No one ever wants to "see" what I am working on in my professional life!
Now on to the picture in question. Shadow and light are definately distorted in photos (this I have learned from you kind folks) and because I don't know what should be added or omited I just paint what I see. I feel like a copy-cat, meaning that I copy what I see. I agree with all the points taken in your post (in fact, you are much kinder to the picture that I) and as soon as I screw up the courage I will render the suggested fixes.
Chris, thank you again for your kind e-mail. If it wasn't 6 AM I'd be heading out the door to buy the book you suggested. I most want to paint children and getting the proportions right is critical. I have no live models (no children of my own) so photos are the best I can do right now. Taking my own photos is a great suggestion. I will be lurking at the park with a camera soon...actually I have a few friends with kids.
The critique is SO helpful as my friend and family think everything I do is "good". Of course no one in my circle had advanced beyond stick people and barrel shaped horses...
Renee, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is one of my favorite books. Thanks for the suggestion on the facial expression book. Building a good library is one of my goals.
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