Dear Mike:

I do believe you have your work cut out for you. You'll have to be both portrait and landscape painter in one. And as you say, "all that green."

The first thing I would ask is: where do I want the viewer's attention to go? As it stands now, the reflected water next to grassy shore is the lightest light next to a dark. Presumably this value contrast should find itself on the child's face, perhaps the forehead. What complicates matters is the light which comes from above, not very flattering particularly under the child's eyes.

I think the best thing to do is begin with a charcoal drawing to establish the values and the overall light/dark pattern you want. Turn it upside down and see if it's in balance, if it makes a nice abstract pattern.

I'm talking like my old man here. Hope you don't mind.

S. Bartner

Many Thanks!
 

Thanks to everyone for your input so far.

Kimberly,
I love your sporty humor, thanks for the reply.

Mike,
I was hoping you would respond. I respect your opinion very much as it pertains to photography. Timothy's portrait is a great idea, not sure I want to go with that dark of a background but the "blurred" effect I like.

Michele,
I like your modified version showing the value changes and bringing out the branch (great idea!). I think I may have to do something with that highlight on the water as Scott has indicated. Maybe a value change there also.

Peter,
Thanks for the compliment!

Scott,
I think you are right on. I plan, as I do with all my portraits, to do a drawing to develop the correct values and also an oil study to capture the correct color/temperature.

Maybe I'll post both of these when completed (if it doesn't bore you guys to death!).