[Linda Champanier]

Alexandra,

I appreciate your thoughtful critique. I realized that the image had lightened quite a bit when I saved it for the web, so I've uploaded a new version where I tried to get it closer to the original in color and value, although it's missing some of the cools and the face highlights are lighter than in the actual painting.

I redid the sleeve in Photoshop to try a different look. I'm not sure I'm settled on the contour yet.

This is closer to the actual values for the dress, so it's actually darker.

Thank you for your descriptions on mixing the colors. I struggle with my cool shadows - they go too extreme sometimes - not neutral enough. I haven't tried the particular color combination you suggested, so I'll do that. I also very much like your suggestion of adding blue to the background. I had originally had the background all the same midtone gray that's still on the left side, but it was too dull, so I glazed over it with burnt umber last night. Adding blue will tie in better with the dress and drop the brown back.

Thanks again!