Hand too small?

[Alexandra Tyng]

Barbara,

I really like your concept and color choices.

About the hands, I agree with the suggestions Chris has made. I was going to say that, if your model has to leave before you can take some more shots of her hands, you could ask someone else to pose and try a couple of other hand positions. But Chris beat me to it! When I'm doing a commissioned portrait I always schedule several sittings even if I have to do the entire thing by reference photos, because I don't often anticipate the details I need or the changes and adjustments I feel are necessary once I look at all the photos.

I would also take another look at the face. The farther (right) eye and nose seem to be in proportion to each other, but the nearer (left) eye is placed too high. If you look at the reference photo, there is a very slight downward slant from L to R (I'm referring to the picture plane now) which is lost in the translation. The mouth in the photo also slants down compared to the mouth in the painting. This discrepancy gives her a different, slightly tense, expression, and the near side of her face has become too elongated. Yes, and the forehead is a different size and shape. These measurement problems all stem, I am guessing, from the incorrect eye slant. If you correct it, the other proportions will fall into place.

I hope I am not being too discouraging. The likeness is really almost there.

Alex

[Barbara Mae Hudson]

Thank you Chris, Jerome and Alex.

As you can see, I have been making some adjustments taking note of all that has been said.

I am worried at this stage that I may be going into 'overkill' and starting to fiddle. There is still plenty of scope for more detail on the top.....which looks more like a dress now! However, I am inclined to leave out a lot of the detail in the top. Do you agree?

Chris. Your advice was invaluable and I have worked on all of your suggestions. I hope that I haven't taken your suggestion of her holding a cup too far by adding the table with the rather flat looking saucer on it which I intend to adjust.

Alex. I have only just read your post and I will be working on your suggestions when I go back to the easel so thanks for that.

Thanks again everyone

Barbara

[Barbara Mae Hudson]

I forgot to add in my message to Chris that she is right about it the possiblity for a great head/shoulder painting. I have cropped it (above) and I think that I like the head and shoulders better than the original.

Barbara