Drummer Boy

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Garth,
I have no doubts that you will turn out the best of it.
It's good to see that you dare and fancy to be loose and wander in the land of the unexpected.
I like both the references but can understand why the clients chose the one with the most pleasing expression ( they always do!)
However, I think that you could use some of the elements from the top one: the drum could be slightly more to the right, the body shape and values are better, clearer, on that one too.
It seems that you started this pastel on the big paper and added the strip later for space purposes.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Garth, I wish you could persuade your clients to move the drum to the right. When it is centered, the drumsticks look too much like they are sticking right out of (or into) the center of it. And the drumsticks are already centered on the boy's shirt. If you point this out, they might be agreeable. Aside from the position of the drum, I love it.

[Garth Herrick]

Hi Allan and Alex, and thanks for your sincere input.

I could argue that the present position of the drum perhaps affords a psychologically a truer portrait representation of this quiet kid. His parents as clients, think so too.......

Garth