[Chris Saper]

Dear Yoshiharu,

I have watched your other posts and the comments that have been posted with interest. This painting is, in my view, completely successful. Not only have you incorporated many of the comments that were good, you have gone well beyond.

In this version, you have been able to engage me as a viewer with compelling body language, and a wonderful composition, whereas in prior postings, I had the sense that I was looking at a head study rather than a fully executed painting.

I think you have made excellent choices about your negative spaces and figure placement. The resulting value distribution is visually pleasing to me, as is the relatively unfinished shirt. Anchoring the shirt sleeve on the right is just exactly right, in my opinion.

If this were my painting, I would consider it finished, and not put a single additional stroke on it. Of course this comment reflects my personal taste, and may have nothing to do with where you see this piece going.

Because of its fresh feel, I do not think you need to do anything different with respect to the color harmony. If you feel that you wish to bring up the level of overall finish to that of the head, the only comment I might make is to incorporate some color temperature shifts in the face and shirt, in this case, perhaps in the light areas, if you intend to leave the shadows warm.

Very nicely done.

Chris