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Julie Deane · 03-06-2005, 09:49 PM

Hi -

This portrait is essentially finished, but feel free to make suggestions.
I met my deadline for the ad this picture is going in, but it will also be a sample for a charity auction, so anything to make it look its best.....
I see a few things, like the width of the nose and the values on the lips?

Having the forum down forced me to be my own best critic. I used Photoshop a lot to compare photo resources and art.

The two photo references are included as well as the art. I used the head from one and the body from the other. This is a continuation from the photo critique section.

Michele Rushworth · 03-06-2005, 10:54 PM

Oh my gosh, Julie, this is gorgeous! My favorite of yours so far. You have flattered her tremendously (but no one will complain about that, I'm sure) and it will make a very nice ad for the dance publication. Great work!

Terri Ficenec · 03-06-2005, 11:03 PM

Beautiful job on this Julie! I especially like the softening as you move away from the face and how you handled the hands.

Kimberly Dow · 03-07-2005, 01:10 AM

Julie - this is fabulous! Congratulations. I especially love the hair - just terrific.

Julie Deane · 03-07-2005, 06:32 AM

Well, thanks, everyone -

No fixes? I don't want so much flattering going on that she isn't recognizable. Although her mom had no complaints (but she is a friend, so she might not say anything).

Maybe I am my own worst critic. When I put it up on this site, lots of things occurred to me.

I'm happy with the hands, too, Terri. I thought they were going to give me fits, and was grateful that they flowed easily.

Mary Sparrow · 03-07-2005, 07:16 AM

JULIE! WOW, how beautiful this is! I am so happy for you. You got a wonderful likeness AND made improvements. This girl and parents are going to be thrilled and you will get lots of business from it I am sure.

I do see what you are saying about the nose, but only because I am searching and don't think it is a real detraction. The only eensy bitsy nitpick is the spot of green on our right cheek seems to jump out at me, one little smudge of your finger ought to tone that down a notch.

Again, I just love it!

Julie Deane · 03-07-2005, 08:46 AM

Hi Mary -

I'll give it a little smudge. There's a lot more nit-picking I could do with this, but I don't have the time to fiddle with it much. I also confirmed to myself that I need do a lot more drawing practice.

I've definitely learned about pastels from this -

I used Colorfix pastel paper and the tooth didn't hold up in places. Had to spray fixative over those areas to get some traction. Next time I will try to get to the store that has the Wallis paper.

I also learned that it is better to get all the darks as right as possible the first time, because when I went back into them do corrections, the dust fell into the light areas and then I had to do those parts all over again.

Next time, I will place a cloth on the floor and cover up the keyboard. I am not one of those artists who never gets a smudge on anything. It gets all over the clothes, on the face, on any surface nearby.....

Mary Sparrow · 03-07-2005, 09:27 AM

Julie, are you tilting your painting slightly forward? If not do so, that way the dark won't fall onto your painting when you need to add it.

I have some Wallis paper, and I am not sure if I like it or not, it feels so different from the other sanded papers that maybe I just haven't gotten used to the feel. I really LOVE the La Carte, though the Wallis is more versatile.

Julie Deane · 03-07-2005, 10:45 AM

Hi Mary -

I will have to see if my easel tilts forward - I think it does. I was working in the back of the house, where the computer is, and didn't bother bring the easel back there. My studio is at the other end of the house.
I guess if I want to work from the computer, I will either have to move it or else set up my easel by it next time.

The sanded paper was nice - it was just by the time I added the lightest pastel to some areas, I had worn off the sand. My fault, because I overworked some parts.

Sharon Knettell · 03-08-2005, 09:09 PM

Julie,

You really knocked my socks off with this one!

One comment if it isn't too late, I think you can shave a little off the cheek to our left, the one away from the viewer. Just a little.

Otherwise the skin color and composition you put together is wonderful. I saw the pictures and you have done a great job on a chubby but attractive subject.