Anna

John Reidy · 05-05-2005, 10:48 PM

This is a portrait of my niece, Anna. She requested that I photograph her in a turned angle and I chose this. It appears more of a figurative than a true portrait so I thought I'd post it here.

It is oil on linen, 16" x 20". Please let me know what you think and I hope to see you in DC.

Allan Rahbek · 05-23-2005, 05:23 PM

Hi John,
I like the pose and the general colors of this portrait. But since this is the critic section I will add something that comes to me when looking at a first glance .

The contours of the hair is a bit closed against the background. Try to make some transitions between the hair color and the background.

The skin colors are all in a limited value scale. I would like to have greater differences in the values since the skin colors is the main motive, I guess.

The color of the white blouse is OK against the gray background, but I think that the hand should be placed in another position relating to the frame. It looks accidental with the little finger being divided in half.

Michele Rushworth · 05-23-2005, 08:03 PM

John, I really like this. I can't believe I didn't see it before!

John Reidy · 05-23-2005, 11:22 PM

Thanks, Allan. I appreciate your feedback. I feel it is important to open myself to criticism in order to discover various points otther than my own. Your observations are appreciated.

While I was reading your post I received Michele's and I'd like to thank you, Michele, for your post. I'm very sorry that I didn't get any time to spend with you while in Reston. I was hoping to pick your brain a bit more indepth.