Tom, Oil on Canvas Panel, 20" x 16" - Page 2

Mai Ly · 11-07-2002, 10:51 PM

I really like your strokes in this painting. They are full of energy. The only things that stick out to me are the anatomy of the ears, and the shoulders are a bit off, but I think someone here has mentioned that already.

I would never know that you are a beginner looking at your painting.

Mai

Timothy C. Tyler · 11-08-2002, 11:54 AM

I'd suggest some attention to edges and temperatures. The brushwork is brave and interesting but along the collar you might need some soft edges. It's only upper level stuff you need now.

Deladier Almeida · 11-08-2002, 01:39 PM

Thank you for your observations. It takes but a glimpse at your work to see that you are highly accomplished painters, totally dedicated to the profession. I consider this dialogue a privilege.

Catherine Muhly · 11-10-2002, 03:42 AM

Hi Deladier,

I think you've painted a fresh and lively portrait, and I am looking forward to seeing more paintings.

My only concern is that the proportions of the head are slightly off. Generally speaking, if you measure from the top of the head to the the tops of the lower eyelids, that is 1/2 the length of the head. Meaning that from the tops of the lower eyelids to the bottom of the chin is the other half. Measuring your portrait, I found that the bottom half, if it was to be the same as the top half, ended at the ball of the chin, not at the bottom of the chin.

Naturally, there is variation among individuals, but departure from the abstract norm is not quite as significant as I found in your painting. Learning to measure proportions and to draw correctly has been for me, and continues to be, the first-ranked task for mastering the craft of portraiture.