Robert

[Garth Herrick]

Perhaps I'm out on a limb, here with a sketchy portrait. This was meant to be a sketchy portrait sample, but the subject's mom decided to buy it. Not wanting to overwork it, I decided to stop and share it now.

Actually this was the sample portrait that got me the commission to paint "Cole", so far only on Pastel critiques.

The colors are a little more charged and the handling is a little more alla-prima. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

oil on linen, 22 x 30 inches.

Garth

[Grethe Angen]

Hello Garth,
what a successful portrait. congratulations.
The subtle value changes that forms his face, takes a masters skills. and the composition too, wonderful.Thanks for posting.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

You're my hero Garth, when I grow up I wanna be you.

[Carlos Ygoa]

Garth,

I like the way everything looks so relaxed and candid. His pose, his look and smile reveal quite a bit about his person. Did he choose to sit and pose this way, or was it suggested by you? Also, the way everything else takes a backseat to the figure, is very successful.
Technical mastery, again, evident all over the painting.

Congratulations!

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Claudemir Bonfim

You're my hero Garth, when I grow up I wanna be you.

My goodness! Thanks Grethe, Bonfim, and Carlos! I am surprised by your enthusiasm. Bonfim, you ARE grown up!

Originally Posted by Carlos Ygoa

His pose, his look and smile reveal quite a bit about his person. Did he choose to sit and pose this way, or was it suggested by you?

Yes, it was completely natural; he posed himself. I like to wait and see what a sitter will do on their own. It always reveals a lot.

With appreciation,

Garth

[Marina Dieul]

Garth,
it's very nice to see something more sketchy from you. The pose is as relax as your paint handling... I love the light, and the warm athmosphere it creates. Great value massing too !
Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Garth,

If you are out on a limb, it is a good strong limb. This is great. I love the composition--the horizontal format, that sliver of muscular leg, and the arm reaching out to hold the football. It does look so very natural. The color is clean and cheerful. The cool natural light coming in from the window is a refreshing departure from the artificial lighting we often have to use in commissioned institutional work. As a result, you got some delicious color in the shadows of his skin.

What a sweet-natured sincere-looking kid he is! There is no pretense about him. He looks as though he doesn't have to be cool, he is comfortable in his own skin. I absolutely adore his expression.

Congrats on a superbly designed, unique portrait, and on the commission you received as a result of it.

[Michele Rushworth]

This is terrific! There is nothing "unfinished" looking about this at all.

[Julie Deane]

How do you do it, Garth? Beautiful work, but that's no surprise. I know that will be the case any time I view a new post of yours.

I like the fresh coloring and those little touches of color in the dark hair. And those spot-on values.

[Garth Herrick]

Dear Marina, Alex, Michele, and Julie,

With your solid support of you four greats, I am feeling pretty good! Thank you all! The value massing was my best spontaneous alla-prima guess, as for most of the painting, once I laid the initial gesture of paint down, it stayed there, scrubbed in and all. I did paint it at a section at a time, though. I have retouched and reworked small areas as an afterthought. The face and hand are reworked too.

Humbly,

Garth