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Beth, a good job with poor material. At some point I might be able to be more particular about the reference material I work from but right now I'd rather be painting than not, especially if there's a guaranteed fee attached. People who post here have a whole range of professional experience and stature so I understand the dilemma you were facing. Had it been I, I would definitely have insisted on some other photos taken during the same period so that I wouldn't be limited to that reference photo. My explanation, when clients for posthumous portraits insist that this is the exact photo they want me to use, is that I need to get a feeling for the subject's personality, and the completed painting should be and will be much more than just a copy of a photo.
I can imagine the reactions I would have gotten here if I'd posted all the reference photos I had to cobble together for my last portrait. Clearly my practice differs from that of many others on this forum. The painting was to be a surprise for the subjects and I simply viewed it as a challenge. I enjoyed making a single cohesive piece from the sources and really like the finished painting. The client, who already had several commissioned portraits hanging in her home, was thrilled with the results and I'm hoping that the recipients will be also.
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