Composition

[Chris Saper]

Add some breathing room and go with what you have!!

[Mike Dodson]

Thanks Chris. My plan is to begin this week-end.

[Mary Cupp]

I very much like the colors and the plays on grey/green and grey/blue and brown.

One thing that I notice is that you have created a very shallow space so it is important to keep in mind how the planes relate - (the chair, the figure, and the wall) so it doesn't pancake and look too flat. The shadows behind the figure are important in maintaining a sense of air and space around the figure and so is the shadow on our left side of the figure (his right). While you are painting think about, not only rendering the figure but think about the space around the figure and it should come out fine.

[John Reidy]

Mike,

It may be too late to consider but when I shoot reference photos I like to get additional shots of hands in various positions. I think you have expressed you have done that but my point is the hand on the chair. This hand can be utilized in many different forms and possibly keep the eye from slipping down the painting, giving some interest to the subject and not so much the chair.

All in all I think you have read some excellent advice, especially regarding the background. Keep it in the back.

You have a great start going for you.

[Mike Dodson]

John & Mary: thank you both for your input. I may post this one as a work in progress to gather everyone's thoughts as it moves along. I think it is a consensus, for the most part, concerning the space, however, I want to add just a small amount of space around the subject. I think Tom's thoughts about his height holds true.