[Garth Herrick]

Thanks Everyone, for this unexpected positive response!

Chris: Again, Thanks! Color adjustments and edge transitions were in a constant state of flux and reassessment. Change one thing and everything else needs an according adjustment. The yellow reflected light in the torso was changed at least six times, being dictated as the chroma levels of the towel were modified.

Marvin: Thanks! You are also a great teacher, reminding me of my own.

Michele: The scope of talent in this forum has truly been inspirational to the way I approached this painting.

Terri: Thanks! I never knew what espadrillles were before!

Jean: Thanks, I will attempt some close-ups in the gallery this afternoon.

Allan: Thanks! Hopefully I have grown as a painter. I see big changes to the way I approached the same subject ten years ago. Photos can be very unreliable resources for paintings. I chose to accept that the final look of the painting would have a very tonal photographic effect; - it would seem super-human in my mind to get beyond that reference limitation. The color seemed to be of lesser importance with the tonal qualities dominating. One also has to use common sense when interpreting color out of a photograph. The colors are always wrong; in my case there was a strong blueish cast. I aimed for the color effect I thought should be there, and then constantly readjusted it until everything just clicked.

Holly: Thanks! The composition was determined through careful cropping. This meant tweaking the canvas stretchers until they were half an inch off of their original intended length.