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Thomasin Dewhurst · 02-03-2007, 12:36 PM

I love the solidity and structure of the head and neck, Allan: the working of them together into one convincing mass. The muscle structure in the neck really shows it to be convicingly holding up the weight of the head. It give such a good feeling of reality and character. And I love the brush marks that render it because on close viewing they are so unexpected - i.e they leave you wondering just how you did it. That's genius! I meant it. It makes for a profound painting.

(one of my nicest memories in childhood was taking a boat trip from the UK to Denmark. I was about 5 or 6 and thought it was so lovely and green and clear there. My brother and I both had t-shirts in the design of the Danish flag and which said "Danmark" on them)

Jean Kelly · 02-03-2007, 03:59 PM

Allan. I've loved this one since you started it, way back when. And you are still diddling. I think you need to paint about twenty portraits of your wife and get this out of your system!

I've always loved your brushwork, it is solid and honest. This is a complex portrait of a woman I would like to meet.

Jean

Allan Rahbek · 02-06-2007, 08:08 PM

Thomasin and Jean, thanks,

Yes, I am still diddling and fiddling with details trying to make that .... background function.
I think that I need to frame it before I can finish it completely.

Cynthia Daniel · 02-06-2007, 08:20 PM

Very sensitive and beautiful! I love it.

Mike McCarty · 02-06-2007, 08:26 PM

I think it looks real nice, Alan. I think the background works well as is.

I'm amazed at how much the addition of a frame can impact how you feel about a painting and how they can influence your decisions on many levels. I think that ideally you should frame them about three quarters of the way into the painting.

Something that's this personal you just don't want to let the process end.

Allan Rahbek · 02-06-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

Something that's this personal you just don't want to let the process end.

You are right Mike, I don't want the process to end, it never crossed my mind.
I believe that we only paints one painting in our lives, distributed on several canvases. The process never ends, luckily.

This portrait has a wider background than I use to do. I did that because I often feel that the frame 'strangles' the painting a bit if there is not enough space around the face.

I remember reading that De Laszlo always had the frame on when he painted.

Cynthia,
thanks for your kind approval.

Allan Rahbek · 03-01-2007, 10:48 PM

Well, you know me, I had to do something.

My wife grew up by the sea in Norway.

Enzie Shahmiri · 03-02-2007, 12:17 AM

Someone take this painting away from Allan!

Allan, I had to laugh when I saw you are still at it. Every time I get used to seeing the painting in one way you surprise us with something else. These are the pitfalls of having a painter in the house. What does you wife think of the new background?

I like how you are relating your wife's ancestry to the background, but I thought the way you had it before was pretty awesome as well. It is interesting to see how the different colors in the background effect the colors in her face and the overall feel of the painting.