Stefanie's Cello

[Marta Prime]

Hello everyone!

I have been a member of this Forum for a long time, and although my progress has been slow because of time restrictions and a full-time day job, I have never given up the dream of taking this from a part-time prospect, to a full-time dream. In one more year, I will have enough years in my current job to be able to afford to devote myself to this endeavor full time.

My reason for requesting this critique is simple. I want some straightforward information on improving, and I want to know if you think I have potential. I am not submitting a photo for comparison. I think a portrait should be judged on its own merit, not nitpickingly compared to a photo. Besides, this portrait was made from a combination of different photos during the model's absence, and an occasional sitting.

I'm getting the hang of this Nikon 995, but it's still not up to par with the actual portrait.

This is Stefanie, my daughter's best friend. I gave her and her cello a ride home one day and she agreed to sit for me. I actually did several photos of her playing her cello, but really liked this pose, because she showed such "affection" for her cello.

I once read a rather puzzling post about the world not needing another painting of a cello. Maybe that's why this appealed to me so much. I've always been on the rebellious side!

Here's "Stefanie's Cello".

24" X 18" on Belgian Linen