Three brothers

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

...and finally the third, I know I am not supposed to post my whole portfolio but these three works come as a whole. This is the one that gave me more troubles: the photo did not look like him.

It happens some times, so I had to repaint him half from life and half from a second photo under the vigilant eye of the mum.

Thanks for looking
Ilaria

[Garth Herrick]

Ilaria,

I am surprised no one else has commented on these three marvelous portraits. All three have such natural poses and you have given each such a fresh, simple presentation, with amazing consistency, and yet you have brought out the individuality and depth of character of each brother. I love the shape of the nearly square canvases and the painterly expressionistic surfaces. Your clients must be very pleased to be receiving such a set of strong paintings. You must be proud. These will really enhance your portfolio. Thanks for sharing these because they are an example of strength in a simple clear conception, and I think they are inspirational to see. Congratulations on a job well done!

Garth

[Julie Deane]

Hi Ilaria -

These look great! I like the freshness and the way you have kept the feel/color/execution similar to make a matched trio. The parents must be very pleased.

Julie

[Jean Kelly]

Ilaria,

I meant to comment on these earlier, but got caught up in other things. The treatment of their faces really caught my eye. I love how the faces and hands are really the center of attention. The rest of the canvas is soft , monochromatic, and painterly, but the faces are just full of life and color.

Since you have put these up for critique, I will mention one small nitpick. Check the perspective on the furniture, the first table in particular. The table looks as if it is distorted and crooked. Even if done in a painterly style it needs to read as a rock solid piece of furniture. I can see that there is some glare on the photo which may account what I am seeing. If so, please disregard my comment, (I always have problems with glare)! There is an awful lot to like about these three paintings.

Jean

[Linda Brandon]

Hello Ilaria,

These are sensitive and well executed paintings. I especially like how the neutrals set off the warmth of the skin tones. It also seems to me you have a gift for facial expression.

By the way, what did you mean when you mentioned that these canvases were 'sized but not primed'?

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

I painted directly on linen that I sized with three coats of rabbitskin glue, to keep that wonderful umber colour of the raw canvas. It also doesn't make me anxious about covering the whole canvas asap.

Following some threads found here, I just finished to size new canvases with acrylic size made from PVA glue, but I had a hard time stretching it.

I am trying them next week and let you know!
I.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Garth, that's Painting and Drawing Children. I got it on Amazon. He's a bit seventies in style but does have many good tips
I.

[Jeanine Jackson]

These make an excellent argument in favor of individual portraits rather than a group. You've achieved so much in each one and even more as a triptych.

My only general comment would be to make a commitment to your light source and shadow patterns even if the photo masses things a bit...

Brava!

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Thank you Jeanine.

I always end up painting separate portraits of brothers and sisters. The main reason is that one day they can be given to each of the children. Also on a higher level the individual is painted rather as himself than as someone's brother. The family group on the other side has dynamic tensions that can make the composition more interesting.

About the lighting issue I must say this is the first painting whose photo I took with my own lighting equipment, and I think my lamps were too strong, making too much light and loosing all the middle tones.

I have to try again but the light in England is so lovely now that I will stick to natural light until October!

I saw your website and liked the polo paintings very much. I did some painting of horses so I know what a difficult subject they are!
Ilaria