Marc

Mary Sparrow · 01-07-2004, 02:56 PM

I started this this morning of my son, it is 16 x 12" on Sennelier la carte. Comments welcome, so I can finish him up. Thanks.

Mary Sparrow · 01-07-2004, 02:58 PM

the resource photo.

Steven Sweeney · 01-07-2004, 07:21 PM

Hi, Mary,

Very sensitive and lovely, as are all your works. Good heavens, you should be teaching! Are you?

Only two items, briefly. I might try to find some color for the quite-white highlights and high half-tones. I think it would very much enrich the portrait. Doesn't have to be a lot, but all the pure (it seems) white has a cool (temperature) feel.

The white slash across the wing of the nose on the shadow side is a bit high in value and a little thin and wide in drawing. Squint at the photo and that light area almost disappears. It doesn't in the pastel.

Okay, third thing. This is very bright light, which is accentuating the light on the lobe of the ear on our left, but I'd knock that down a value or two.

Very beautiful work, as everything you show here is. Well done.

P.S. I am, however, looking forward to the addition of the dinosaur.

Linda Brandon · 01-07-2004, 07:55 PM

Ditto to what Steven just said, Mary. Nice job! I like the way you've handled the teeth and the smile.

Just to be picky, I suggest pumping up the orange glow of sunlight coming through the ear on our left. I would also make the reflected light on the cheek on our right side lower in value and a different color; I'd try first a green or blue, possibly lavender. Put your cute son outside for a minute in the sunlight and see what actually happens on his face when he wears a white shirt. Photos often lie in this respect, especially outdoor photos.

Linda Brandon · 01-07-2004, 08:01 PM

I just looked at the resource photo again; that light on our right side could be the backlit sun coming from behind his head, or it could be the reflection from the other child's white shirt. Hmmm. I'd still try knocking down the value of that edge.

Mary Sparrow · 01-07-2004, 08:36 PM

For the compliments. I'm a little taken a back. Teach? Me? Um, Steven, I'm going to assume you are joking, I don't have a clue what I am doing and certainly couldn't tell someone what to do. I just sort of feel my way through and HOPE it turns out. LOL half the time I read these critiques and don't understand a word!

I will revisit this in the morning and make the adjustments!

Steven Sweeney · 01-08-2004, 07:55 PM

No, I wasn't joking, but only wishing to confirm your extraordinary talent, even if it is "natural" and not learned and even if you feel some distance from the orthodoxy.

And please, if there's ever a critique that leaves you wondering, you need only ask, and I'm sure clarification will be gladly offered. As painfully long as my own observations often are, they could easily be expanded -- or I could focus at length on only one feature. I never know which to do unless someone provides feedback or further inquiry. It all pays the same.

But again -- your work is just very very good, and please don't try to convince yourself otherwise, because the rest of us can see that it is so.

Cheers

Sophie Ploeg · 01-09-2004, 06:33 AM

Hi Mary!

Lovely stuff. I agree to maybe add some orange/yellow to the light, to warm things up.

Denise Hall · 01-13-2004, 12:11 AM

Hi Mary,

I haven't been here in awhile and just wanted to tell you how much I'm enjoying seeing your progress in pastel. I think your work is beautiful, the colorations are interesting and soft as well as dramatic ( a great combination, IMO), and likeness is always there.

Sounds like a winning combination to me - and a young, busy mother at that!!

Cheers,

Denise