Little Cutie
 

I was really quite pleased with this one, not only because I painted it fairly quickly (for me). But then my kid lumbered in and said, why does she look like an alien? Does anyone else find that their children are relentless critics of their work?

Anyway, constructive criticism always welcome.

I don't think she looks like an alien...

Thanks, Janet

Janet, she is so pretty one, especially her big eyes! I've never seen an alien like her in movies or pictures. May be her top hair are little too high? That 's why your kid said like that?

I like her skin tone. It looks pure and fresh. The shoulder seems little bit flat. In my narrow opinion, if you give some space between her and background, it will be great!

Nice work!

Piety

Hi Janet,
Don't worry, that's a beautiful painting. Children's taste for colors is different from adults', they like very colorful pictures, strong yellows, blues, etc. That's why he said that, once a kid looked at one beautiful girl I had portrayed in pencil and said that she looked like a witch, that because it was black and white and not because of her looks or features.
Happy painting for you!

It is a beautiful painting! Without the reference photo and without knowing your subject's age I can only guess, but I would consider chopping a little off the top of the head. I think if you take one knotch off the top(the knotches being each time her hair part zig-zags) it might help. I wouldn't alter anything else on the head, though.

I agree that it is a great painting and children are definately opinionated and willing to share!

Hi Janet,

You're right, she is a cutie! I agree with Lacey and Piety, I think the top of the head is just a bit too high and that gives her that "alien" look your child commented on. Children can be blunt, but often speak the truth. If he finds something odd about it, others will too. I value my children's critics of my paintings--of course what I love most is when my little subjects see their portraits for the first time and say "that's me!"

Outstanding!
 

She is just beautiful. Her individuality comes clearly through. Beautiful colors everywhere! I love it. :thumbsup:

Hi Janet, you're so funny, thanks for making me laugh today! This fresh painting has an outdoorsy feel to it, judging by the hairlight, am I right? Her forehead might be slightly inclined to the viewer which is why you're getting the comments posted here. If this were my painting I would work more on the shoulder area, finding a believable slope, shadow pattern or working a vignette into the design. Also, see if there's a reddish reflection under her chin in the shadow side.

You've really caught the charm of this girl.

Hi Janet,

Very nice paint handling!

I could not see your second reference image in Internet Explorer, but for some reason it shows up on Safari (Mac).

Now that I can see your reference photo, and she really is a cutie, I see a number of proportional and drawing adjustments that could have been made. I would not change this painting though. I like it's fresh qualities. Sometime do another one.

Happy painting,

Garth

Hi guys. Thank you so much for your positive response! I was almost feeling cocky enough to put this in "unveilings" until the alien remark. Since I have less self-confidence than gravel, I stuck to this section, and I'm very glad I did. I would have missed some great advice. I actually reworked the head and background after Piety's comment and I'll post it to see if I went far enough. Great minds do seem to think alike.

I feel a bit silly about mis-communicating, though. The kid is not an adorable 5 year old wise beyond his years, but a hulking sardonic 20 year old. Oooops. But my kids have watched me draw and paint all their lives and really are astute critics. They don't let me get away with anything. Rude, too.

Janet

:? Okay, Janet, now after we all have uniformly addressed your subject above, I am really confused, except I am sure your kid is not yet twenty! :D

Anyway I really like this painting of your kid. It is so freshly and directly painted.

Garth