I like to paint anywhere from 75% to 100% life size. How tall is the kid?

If you use that precise composition, with a seven inch head the canvas will be 48 inches, doing the math as suggested above.

I don't think she is going to want one that big. 40 inches is probably as big as she is going to want to go for the spot that she wants to put it.

He is about 4 feet tall..So, I think the 40 inch will be fine, cropping in. Don't you?

If you take a little off the top and sides, creating this 516x380 image, you will be just under 40 inches if you paint a SIX inch head.

That looks perfect to me. I cant help but wish there were more interesting reflections in the windows though. I saw a beautiful sky and clouds reflected in window that I photographed recently - I am hoping for the opportunity to use it someday if it looks right.

I have nudged the mother to a 30x40, shew. Just when I thought it was safe, I get an email from her stating that she has changed her mind. Not on the size, but rather the reference photo. She switched gears on me here, we were going with a totally different reference photo, but now she wants to know if I can paint the body of the second photo posted here and make his toes not curl, and the face on the other body. ( I personally like the overall look of the first photo better)

*Sigh*

I haven't had a chance to speak with her about this request, so I want to know what you all think.

Mary,

Here is my 2-cents. First of all - do you feel comfortable using 2 different references? Do you feel you can make the toes correct in the way she suggested? If any of these answers are no, or you are unsure - I'd speak to the woman as the professional you are - you know more than her on what it takes to make a sucessful portrait. Just tell her that piecing parts of photos together can have a funky feel to it and you want hers to come out as a masterpiece - in order to do that you need one reference that you both agree on - or go into particulars about why this one works over that one... Tell her to trust your artistic experiece...blah blah blah.. ;)

I do not quite understand which refence she wants for the head and which for the body - so I don't know how to comment on that in particular.... but I say just be sure of your reasons, use words like 'longevity in appreciating the design' or 'timelessness' etc.. And be slightly firm.

I suppose if it were me I'd start out with something like "You are the client of course and I want you to be happy. From my experience though - this particular one will be a better overall design and show your son in such a wonderful light - it is really quite timeless.
Remember, this is an heirloom that will last generations, you want this to be a painting that is so well-designed that even his great-great-grandchildren, who never met him, will want it on their walls. Not only for the sentimentality issues, but because it is a great painting that stands on its own - even if you do not know your son."

How's that? Mother's! What a pain to talk to, eh? ;)

Help!
 

This is turning into a very frustrating effort.

Without going into detail, can anyone good with photoshop do something for me? The mother wants the image with the Will leaning on the planter, but doesn't like his foot up, and wants to see what it would look like with his leg down. :bewildere Can anyone take the leg off of the second photo and super impose it over the foot on the planter so that she can see if she prefers his leg up or down before we take pictures for a third time?

It wouldn't look right. His whole upper body posture is dependent upon where the weight on his feet is. With one foot down he leans to our left to balance his body over on that one ankle. With two feet down his upper body is much more squared off.

(P.S. A few hours invested learning Photoshop or one of the less expensive competitors will pay off a hundredfold for you.)

Also, part of the process of working with clients involves going into every meeting projecting a feeling of confidence about your process or the reference you are recommending.

I go through all my photos before showing any of them to the client and pick the one photo or the the very best combination of photos and say "THIS one is my favorite, and here's why." I find there's less dithering around if I'm conveying confidence about what will work and what won't. Maybe you've already done that. I don't know, since I wasn't there.

I personally really like the photo of the boy with his foot up ..."and here's why: " I like the more relaxed pose it gives his upper body, instead of the squared-off look he has with both feet down. I think it's a very natural and cute pose that kids often take, with one foot up.

It's a slippery slope an artist get get onto, dithering around when the client says,"try this" and "show me what that would look like". Pick your favorite and convince her why it's the best. You're the expert.