Oil of youngest son
 

Hi all! Been busy, but I did this oil this week and thought I would post it for your critique. It is a risky painting, with the lighting and all. I wanted a high contrast setup for a flashy kind of guy. I photographed it in my studio with a single light source.

20" x 16"

Close ups to follow.

Thanks

Close up of eyes

Close of mouth

Reference photo

In other posts you admitted that you usually project your photo when you paint portraits. This one looks wonderfully painterly. Did you project this one as well?

Yes.
 

Hi, Jen! Thanks! Yes, I admit it. I actually print out a black and white, full canvas-sized, tiled image and transfer it with graphite paper. I like that better than an overhead projector. I don't usually tell my clients that, but I don't have to prove to myself that I can draw.

Even, still, with a transfer, just as with a brushed drawing on the raw canvas, you have to use your eye as the image gets blurred out with the initial paint. I pretty much destroy the layout as I throw the pain on.

Perfect, then!
 

What bliss.

Hi Lon, I love the portrait very much
 

Forgive me Lon, if I (the rookie artist) sound rude and insolent by what i'm gonna say. I certainly felt the love and life exuding from the masterpiece...a work of art that could only come from the touch of the artist's soul. However, i thought that streak of pale color across the shirt, took much attention away from the face - especially that it shares the same value as the brightest part of the face.
By toning down the streak, or doing away with it altogether the painting will certainly look better. :)

Yes!
 

You have solved my problem with this white streak. I will do away with it.

By the way,
 

Thank you for your humble attitude. I am not really worthy of it. I draw pretty good, but I have not yet really found myself in oils. That is yet to come, I hope. Meanwhile, I keep stabbing away at efforts of my relatives, with an occasional commission in between. I have seen some improvement since I started looking here for insppiration! ;)