Gosh, it took me by surprise all of these replies here. . . I must have missed an email somewhere!
Alex, Pat, Marina, Chris-- You've made my day
-- thank you!
Allan-- Thanks! It's funny -- the reference shot for this was just serendipitous. I'm supposed to do a portrait of this lovely lady's daughter and son-in-law. but have had a heck of a time getting something that works for the two of them. It was on a reference shoot with them that she was there too, I took a couple shots of her just to amuse her and the daughter liked this one well enough to want it painted. (It took me an additional photo shoot to get something workable of the couple. . .
)
David--your Buddhist nun... you posted that just as I was getting ready to start this one.Rather than minimize the wrinkles you used that gorgeous dramatic lighting and celebrated them. So beautifully done. and oooooh just a little intimidating.
Thanks!