Thank you, John. Louise, I have always been lucky when painting posthumous portraits. I don't know if it's the natural look of oil painting that surprises them, or the way I try to deliver a message to the living folks. Once an old woman even fainted when she was presented to the portrait I'd made of her long gone husband. Others really see me as a messenger and treat me in a so special way like if I had contact with the other side.
If some advice could help, I've found that a posthumous work will achieve more success if you portray your subject in higher keys/tones, clear background, giving a day break morning mood (never night or twilight). Paint the white of the eyes clearer (makes the person look healthy) and define a stronger personality in the look. Everybody miss their dead people and not rarely rate them better than when they were alive.
Above all, try to give a positive meaning in the whole thing.
Works for me :)

Good luck,

Ant

PS: in this particular work posted above I was initially commissioned to paint a 40cm x 60cm head-and-shoulders. After having studied the few ref-photos I convinced my client that the work would look better in a smaller canvas, with a close-up of the head, slightly larger than life-size. Why that? Because the shoulders in the ref-photos always gave a tired look to my subject. Like an old man, tired of living, or suffering of some illness. I didn't want to paint that, and I didn't want to tell a lie either. It was a good decision.

Dear Ant,

I appreciate that you shared your pointers regarding achieving a successful posthumous portrait. I never thought of watching out for the slump of the shoulders or lightening the eyes.

So far I have done 2 portraits in black and white, orders received based on my black and whites that people had seen on my web site.

I personally thought it is strange how a blk/wht character study looks interesting, but a blk/wht posthumous looks like a funeral picture. On the next one, I will take your advise at heart and try to convince the client to go color.

Beautiful portrait.
I think the lighting and skin tones are particularly nice
Moving story as well
Jerome