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Garth,
This portrait is magnificent in every way! First of all, Mr. Haab's expression is so totally HIM. Even though I've never met him, I can tell. He doesn't even seem to be posing in any way. It looks as if you caught him in the middle of a conversation, just after he's listened to you and is considering his response. I'll bet he looks like that every day.
The skin tones and textures, the texture and color of his clothing, are all rendered so well. The detail is there but it doesn't overwhelm or looks static. One thing I really like about your work is how, up close, the brushwork is visible. The surface is not too smooth--it's alive.
Moving on to the background, it's so well done in and of itself, and in relation to the figure. It's rich with detail, but not sharply painted or overworked. The textures and surfaces of glass, wood, etc., are immediately recognizable. It is all held together (and pushed back in space) by the fact that you have kept it within a narrow value range. I think this is my new favorite of yours.
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