Superior Court Judge

[Terri Ficenec]

What rich painting Tom! You certainly succeeded in balancing those warms and cools -- the painting has atmosphere and conveys a true sense of the man. Bravo!

(and yes! . . . please post close-ups and size )

[Tom Edgerton]

As promised....

The glasses were fun to paint, as they were rimless. It became a challenge of using value jogs and reflections to paint something that "wasn't there."

Size is 48" x 42", so it has some presence. About a 10" head.

Terri, Claudemir, and Marina--I appreciate your comments very much.

Best--TE

[Linda Brandon]

Tom, I always say this about your paintings, but I mean it more than ever - this sense of intelligent humanity that you get in your portraits is a priceless gift you have. There's a real radiating calm in this painting. From a technical point of view, the color and edge treatment is expertly done, just as... well, everything else in this painting.

I'm going to look at the closeups again. Big congratulations on this one!

[Alexandra Tyng]

Oh, Tom, this is wonderful! I've been looking forward to seeing this ever since you mentioned the light on the robes during our Nelson Shanks weekend. At the time I was thinking, "It couldn't possibly be as wild as he thinks it is," and it's not--it's perfect--silvery and very expressive of the fabric. It's one of those controlled breakthroughs: huge internally, but handled masterfully. The color is truly beautiful and I do like the simplicity.

Also I agree with Linda about your ability to communicate "intelligent humanity." I get the impression that he's seen a lot, he'll treat people with respect and compassion, but in the end he will be fair. It's a great portrait.

[Sharon Knettell]

Tom,

I do think this is your best so far. There is a lovely feeling of gentility, space and light in this piece. The robe is spectacular.

Portraits such as these which I usually refer to as "flag to the right or flag to the left" are difficult to make interesting and beautiful.

[Tom Edgerton]

Friends--

These reactions are very welcome indeed...

Linda--Thanks so much. I enjoyed chatting with him about his career and the Law as we worked, and I guess that came through.

Alex--I never much felt on thin ice with it, but it's nice to know it all works okay. Thanks again for a great weekend--I learned a lot.

Sharon--This is terrific validation...I was feeling it could be a personal best, even in the middle of the work. So I slowed down and tried to absorb what I was learning. Thank God they didn't insist on a flag, but even with the lawbooks, which are notoriously busy and gaudy on the spines, I edited the detail to the bare essentials and shoved them way down into the shadows.

As to the space--I looked at DeCamp's public portraits frequently. He really let things breathe.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Originally Posted by Tom Edgerton

Thanks again for a great weekend--I learned a lot.

Tom, it is I who should be thanking you, since you started it all by making the trip and getting me and Garth rallied. I was wondering whether seeing the show had any impact on the portrait--not that it looks like a Shanks in any way--it's all Edgerton. I always find something happens in my next or current work after I've seen some really inspiring art.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Tom, let me add my praise. It conveys the personality of the sitter and the rendering of the black robe is absolutely stunning.
A lot to learn here, thanks for posting
Ilaria

[Mike McCarty]

Tom,

Beautifully done. Those hands are as good as hands need to be.

This should at least get you out of any future speeding tickets.

[Jeanine Jackson]

This commands attention, then allows the viewer to settle down into it the narrative of the character of this man, and finally delights in the bravura of your technique. "Show them what the paint can do," is a lesson echoed by many masters I have studied with. You have done that here without compromising your subject. Bravo!