Dear Patt,
I think part of your problem is that you accepted to work from such bad reference. Now if it can make you feel any better, I do that too. I am not a professional but a lot of people come and ask me to draw their kids or something from bad photos. I have for the time being 3 such commissions.
However I have promised myself never again to accept this kind of photos., in fact I would rather work from life., it is easier.!
Wish you the best result ever on your commission. And in the future you might want to resist to accept these kind of requests too. Promise?
