Portrait of a Young Girl

Darla Dixon · 12-11-2001, 07:19 PM

This was a commissioned portrait of a young lady.
I worked from one main photograph and had 4 additional photos I worked with also. In the original photograph, the girl has a flower stuck in her hair. I replaced it into her hands.

Image size was about 9"x12", pencil on 11"x14" Strathmore 400 Bristol paper.

I know what bothers me about it, wonder if you will have same opinions! The client is happy, and I guess I can't go back now!

Thanks!
Darla

Dean Lapinel · 12-12-2001, 12:01 PM

My non-professional opinion is that the portrait is sweet and expresses innocence very well. My only thought was that the eyes, while in the correct axis for the tilt of the head, seem to be independently horizontal rather than following the true axis. On the other hand, some people truly do have asymmetry in their eyes.

Nice work!
Dean

Darla Dixon · 12-12-2001, 12:48 PM

Thanks Dean! Yes, I'm in agreement with you on the eyes...I also think the face looks too flat in this scan. 'It did look better in person' (my traditional claim online!)

One problem I had was in the main pose the client liked, her eyes were basically all black. I had to create her eyeballs, essentially! Ha!

Well, give the people what they want I always say

Thanks again for your critique

Sampo Kaikkonen · 12-14-2001, 10:44 AM

Hi Darla!

I hope it is all right that I experimented with your drawing a bit.

I just wondered what would a hint of a background do for the portrait. I added a bit darker background and strengthened some shadows.

I think the shadows and the background give it a bit more three dimensional feeling. It is just my opinion. What do you think?

Cynthia Daniel · 12-14-2001, 11:00 AM

Darla,

In your portrait, you've captured a nice relaxed, spontaneous sweetness which I like. I agree with Dean about the eye. But, the major thing is handling of edges, which I mentioned to you in an earlier post.

Sampo,

I like the inclusion of the shading in the background.

Darla Dixon · 12-14-2001, 01:01 PM

I too like that background! I do put background shading in my portraits more often now. Wish I had done it to this one...well the original art is in Wisconsin now, and I'm in Georgia...but I could use correcting the portrait as a good reason to go to Wisconsin and buy some cheese.