Disappointment under pressure

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Thanks for sharing your experience Mary Jane, and Mischa for the encouragement.

I did call my friend today and told her I was not completely satisfied with the painting and that I really wanted a second chance to work with the boy.
She was puzzled as she is very happy with her painting, but still she respects my opinion and has promised me more sittings.
My idea is to paint maybe a slightly smaller work, a more confident one on both parts, I mean less embarassed subject and less anxious painter.

Alexandra, the issue is likeness, yes, but also something with the pose, that oversized shirt, you see the problem is that I don't know either!

I could not avoid thinking of this painting when I started and set the pose, the boys looks so similar... but I later started having doubts: I am no Cezanne!

I made him look a bit clumsy rather then meditative as I initially ment.
Also the light in their house was very dim and too dramatic, perhaps such a strong chiaroscuro is not the best choice for young people.

I am not very keen on reworking the old painting, I lost stamina because of the amount of time I spent on it without knowing exactly what I needed to do. The scraping and sanding has also quite exhausted the surface of the painting!
I am excited with my latest work, which I can't wait to post, and I believe it has restored some of my confidence; I am very motivated to set things straight with this boy now!
Ilaria

[Michele Rushworth]

I told my clients that they should keep it and let it 'season' a little, and that I really needed to have it out of my studio for a while, but it is my intention to take it back and see if I can finally put it right in a few weeks, maybe with a last live sitting. At the same time I don't want to reveal my friend how much I am disppointed.

It's a very nice portrait, though the boy's expression seems a bit vacant. I think I would have set it aside in my studio facing the wall for a few weeks and then worked on it again before showing it to the client.

The very successful portrait artist Bart Lindstrom recently said in a lecture to a room full of other artists, "Every 10th portrait is a disaster".

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

The very successful portrait artist Bart Lindstrom recently said in a lecture to a room full of other artists, "Every 10th portrait is a disaster".

I must remember this one!

[Richard Bingham]

That is worth remembering. (and sobering!)

However, the "commercial" aspect of a portrait commission makes that cold comfort for the client. Two aspects of this problem are worth careful consideration. One is the amount of "experimentation" involved in producing the work. A rule of commercial music is to reserve "pushing the envelope" for rehearsal time, and drop back to "tried, true, and well-polished" when on-stage. The caution would apply to portrait commissions, I think. The other is that while no one should ever turn out a piece they cannot "stand behind", it's more important how the client receives it than whether it's entirely pleasing to the painter.

That said, and given the homage to Cezanne, I like it!

[Cindy Procious]

Ilaria, I'm wading in late, so I'm sure you're well underway with your next painting of your friend.

I wonder, though, if part of the issue with the first one is the proportions? Doesn't his head seem too small for his body?

Other than that - to me - it is a lovely painting - and very much your signature style.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Thanks Cindy, that might be it !
Marina, Richard, I appreciate your input
thanks
Ilaria

[Mari DeRuntz]

Would it have been better instead to honestly start again ?

Always trust this voice - it is your intuition and is usually telling you what you already know.

Have a lovely trip to Italy. While you're spoiled rotten in London with centuries of design and art everywhere you turn, and the British Museum's recent Michelangelo show, the invenzione of the Italians remains a benchmark, up through Annigoni, anyway.

I hope western culture has not completely overrun her charm.

Buon lavoro....

[Marina Dieul]

Originally Posted by Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco

I am excited with my latest work, which I can't wait to post, and I believe it has restored some of my confidence; I am very motivated to set things straight with this boy now!
Ilaria

Great Ilaria!
Gauguin and Picasso ( blue period) came to my mind immediately when I saw this one. I like it a lot!