Betsy, Shawn, and Angel in acrylic

[Jean Kelly]

Hi, Carolyn,

Thank you for your wonderful comments. It's nice to hear. I haven't driven myself crazy yet, and her face has gotten much softer. Mom will be happier with the image. I'll post it again when it's close to being finished so maybe final tweaking can be done. By the way, my monitor seems to pick up more red than is actually in the painting. I don't know how to decrease it, maybe it's the camera. I'll try photographing outside next.

I've been following your thread on drawing an accurate image and I feel that you are being way too hard on yourself. Ease up on yourself, you did good. There was lots of good advice; this site is really amazing. I've looked at some other ones and they are not of this quality. A real critique is a precious gift, and needs to be accepted with grace. I certainly appreciate it and I can tell that you do too.

[Linda Ciallelo]

Jean, post the reference photo. I'll use Photoshop on it and see if I can help you with those dark shadows.

[Jean Kelly]

Thank you, Linda, both for your offer and comments on Tom's painting. Encouragement is appreciated by me, as I am starting another career all over again (for the 5th time). This is by far the most emotionally draining at this point. So much to learn, but so exhilarating! Sometimes I feel 18 again.

This painting is a combination of different photos I took that day. Picked by the client and me. We all fell in love with Betsy's hand on Angel's head. I changed Angel's expression to a little smile (which is more chacteristic of her). And we used a different shot of Shawn. I'll be adding Shawn's hand tucked in under Betsy's right arm today. Anyway, here is my main reference picture. And again, thank you for your help.

[Linda Ciallelo]

I don't know if this will help. The Mom's face in the shadow is pretty difficult to see. I think I would just make it look good and not necessarily like the photo. I would try to get my information from my head , instead of the photo. In layman's terms "fudge it". You did a good job in the first place. She looks good.

[Jean Kelly]

Thanks Linda! I can see some other areas better. I've been doing exactly as you suggested. Luckily for me, Betsy is a beautiful young woman, but not vain at all. What was evident from them is their love for Angel and each other. That's what I hope to catch.

[Jean Kelly]

Betsy softer, and Angel with less highlights for critique or comments. Steven, Angel's eyes are toned down as per your suggestion. She has the most incredible blue eyes!

[Carolyn Ortiz]

I really REALLY like it! I think it's wonderful and am so impressed! Doing three figures with the amount of detail you did would probably make me crazy, and you did it so beautifully!

As far as having too much red in the photo, taking the pics outside (in the shade) is how I take usual photos/ slides of work also, and it seems to keep them pretty true to life.

I am so happy with all the information that's been generated on the "Likeness" topic. I have learned so much here, it is truely incredible! It's really hard to convey your feelings with words, when no one can see your face and hear your voice, so I'm glad you can tell I appretiate the feedback, because I really do! Guess I am my worst critic, and should ease up on myself (which I have heard before ) If you could buy confidence in a bottle, I'd be willing to spend some serious dough! Also being a bit of a perfectionist doesn't help! Anyway, enough about me, this painting is fantastic! I can't believe you are just beginning this career!

[Jean Kelly]

Carolyn and Linda, thanks for the encouraging words, they are appreciated. I'm almost done, will be posting the completed portrait in a few days. I've learned a lot on this one and will be doing things differently in the future. Never,never, never, use black on a face again!!!

[Jean Kelly]

Complete, unless anyone feels final tweaking is necessary. Steven, do her legs look better? I've learned a lot. But need to be more consistent with color. Shadows and skin tone in particular. Thank you in general for all the many posts that I've read and learned from.

[Jean Kelly]

Closer view of faces.