Quote:
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Originally Posted by Clive Fullagar
I don't know about you, but I find smiles are the death knell of oil portraits. You never see them in classic portraits, and teeth have this uncanny ability to become the focus of a portrait. I have always felt that the eyes should be the soul of the picture. Anyway, I managed to persuade her (and her mother) that a more subtle smile provided a far more sophisticated image. Often, the broad smile becomes a facade that hides the sitter.
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Clive, I couldn't agree more. If it is handled properly, a subtle smile can work (da Vinci, Vermeer) But I feel as you do, I try to avoid it. I don't know what I'm going to do when I start getting commissions and the client wants a big sunny grin showing. I guess I could just not sign the painting....
AND you've done a great job with this one. Beautifully rendered, solid composition.