Watercolor study of young woman

Here we are!

This is my first work. It is a study taken from a very little photo of my girlfriend, Sara. I changed the font of the light (the quality of the source photo is awful), and this is my problem: can you help me to look for the matters in this sketch?

Don't be comprehensive. I just want the holy truth. I want to improve myself and learn from all of you. If anyone want, I'll send the source photo and the chaircoal sketch.

Consider that this is a study for a future oil underpainting.

Thanks to All,
Alessandro

[Karin Wells]

Congratulations, you have captured a lot of her vivacious personality in your very first portrait...a tough thing to do. And you have courageously chosen a medium (watercolor) that is difficult for many portrait artists to handle.

Could you post your original photo and your charcoal drawing?

Sometimes when we begin our work with a poor photo resource, it is nearly impossible to overcome this handicap.

Could you take another photograph? If you do, use a single source of light and have your girlfriend pose with a closed-mouth smile. A really good photo would be so much easier for you to work from and it would increase your chance of making a successful painting.

Ciao

Dear Karin,

Thank you for your reply. Here is the original sketch, taken from al larger image of the scannered photo.

Soon I'll send the original photo (d**n, I don't remember where I put it).

A presto!