Three brothers
 

Dear all, please comment, if you will, on these three paintings. It took me quite a long time to complete them, specially in keeping the same light and atmosphere throughout the three. The family had these very nice pieces of furniture that I wanted to put in, and there was a dining room in the background that disppeared as I thought it was not needed.

They are oil on linen (sized but not primed), 20 by 22 inches. I painted using B&W photos as a reference, and a final short sitting during which I corrected some details

The tough part was also to retain the proportions of the three boys so that the eldest actually looks bigger! I am not sure I succeeded on that with the little one. In any case they were painted separatly because one day each of them will have his own so in the long time the proportions won't mean much.

Please be kind, today I went to see the Royal portrait Society exhibition here in London, I am already humiliated enough!

The second brother
 

Maybe this one is the best one

and finally
 

...and finally the third, I know I am not supposed to post my whole portfolio but these three works come as a whole. This is the one that gave me more troubles: the photo did not look like him.

It happens some times, so I had to repaint him half from life and half from a second photo under the vigilant eye of the mum.

Thanks for looking
Ilaria

Ilaria,

I am surprised no one else has commented on these three marvelous portraits. All three have such natural poses and you have given each such a fresh, simple presentation, with amazing consistency, and yet you have brought out the individuality and depth of character of each brother. I love the shape of the nearly square canvases and the painterly expressionistic surfaces. Your clients must be very pleased to be receiving such a set of strong paintings. You must be proud. These will really enhance your portfolio. Thanks for sharing these because they are an example of strength in a simple clear conception, and I think they are inspirational to see. Congratulations on a job well done!

Garth

Very Nice
 

Hi Ilaria -

These look great! I like the freshness and the way you have kept the feel/color/execution similar to make a matched trio. The parents must be very pleased.

Julie

I agree with Garth - I am surprised no one commented on these before - These are very sensitive portraits,beautifully painted.

Ilaria,

I meant to comment on these earlier, but got caught up in other things. The treatment of their faces really caught my eye. I love how the faces and hands are really the center of attention. The rest of the canvas is soft , monochromatic, and painterly, but the faces are just full of life and color.

Since you have put these up for critique, I will mention one small nitpick. Check the perspective on the furniture, the first table in particular. The table looks as if it is distorted and crooked. Even if done in a painterly style it needs to read as a rock solid piece of furniture. I can see that there is some glare on the photo which may account what I am seeing. If so, please disregard my comment, (I always have problems with glare)! There is an awful lot to like about these three paintings.

Jean

Thank you
 

Thank you very much for commenting. I owe very much to a book by John Norton, that pushed me to loosen up my outlines and leave the background unspecified.

I arrived at the photo session with sketches on postures, which helped the children not to feel too embarrassed, but to try and do their best to settle into those positions instead.

I think this approach has worked to give ME the entire responsibility on the design. I also restretched the canvases on a narrower frame halfway through, as I had started on squares, then had second thoughts.

There is an issue with the likeness of the third child again; despite some corrections I made the parents are not satisfied yet, but I agreed on one more sitting, hoping to improve it without damage.

Thank you again for your words, I also believe they are a step forward in my portfolio.

I.

You are right !
 

Thank you Jean, I think you are right; there are so many things I looked at that I did not see this one. Also the photo of a painting is so merciless, isn't it?

I will do something to that table when I go back for the small boy. Thanks again for pointing that out.

I.

Hello Ilaria,

These are sensitive and well executed paintings. I especially like how the neutrals set off the warmth of the skin tones. It also seems to me you have a gift for facial expression.

By the way, what did you mean when you mentioned that these canvases were 'sized but not primed'?

Ilaria,

What is the title of the book by John Norton? I am not familiar yet with him. I admire what you seem to have learned from this author.

Garth

I painted directly on linen that I sized with three coats of rabbitskin glue, to keep that wonderful umber colour of the raw canvas. It also doesn't make me anxious about covering the whole canvas asap.

Following some threads found here, I just finished to size new canvases with acrylic size made from PVA glue, but I had a hard time stretching it.

I am trying them next week and let you know!
I.

Norton's book
 

Garth, that's Painting and Drawing Children. I got it on Amazon. He's a bit seventies in style but does have many good tips
I.

I think I remember borrowing this book from the local library in the late seventies. It's all coming back now.

Garth

Congratulations Ilaria. I am happy that you were able to make it over to this site and deservedly so. I remember seeing these works while in progress and think you resolved the background issue appropriately to link all three portraits harmoniously. Again, your choice of poses have given each child individuality and character. Very nice work.

David Bottoni

Long time no see
 

Thank you David, it's nice to meet you again!
I have been on these for ages, can't wait to move on. How is your little girl portrait?
I might post again soon in the wip a new portrait I am working on, if you stumble upon it let me know what you think
I.

Triple Treat!
 

These make an excellent argument in favor of individual portraits rather than a group. You've achieved so much in each one and even more as a triptych.

My only general comment would be to make a commitment to your light source and shadow patterns even if the photo masses things a bit...

Brava!

Tryptich
 

Thank you Jeanine.

I always end up painting separate portraits of brothers and sisters. The main reason is that one day they can be given to each of the children. Also on a higher level the individual is painted rather as himself than as someone's brother. The family group on the other side has dynamic tensions that can make the composition more interesting.

About the lighting issue I must say this is the first painting whose photo I took with my own lighting equipment, and I think my lamps were too strong, making too much light and loosing all the middle tones.

I have to try again but the light in England is so lovely now that I will stick to natural light until October!

I saw your website and liked the polo paintings very much. I did some painting of horses so I know what a difficult subject they are!
Ilaria