[Chris Saper]

Dear Mike,

You have done a very nice job with the subtle modeling in the dress and arms, and in keeping your edges under control.

The main observation I have is that my eyes are crying out for a little light. The drawing is so very low key that it makes me work a little bit more than I want to. I basically see middle and dark values; even the hints of light in the bodice aren't reading to me as light. And I don't necessarily think you should make the dress feel as white as it is in the photo; in fact, it is a good choice, I think to leave it in the middle value range.

I think that I am wanting to find more light and form in the face, and I think it's difficult to convey the subltety of small faces' forms without much wiggle room in your value range. The modeling, (at least on my monitor) from the bridge of the nose to the lower lip doesn't read as a series of smooth symmetrical forms.

I know only too well that in a tiny drawing like this, it's very hard to deal with even smaller areas. If you want to try a finely sharpened white NuPastel stick to pull out some lights, you'd proably have fun with it - the NuPastel is much lighter than the white charcoal, so a little goes a long way.

Scott has made some very helpful observations, too. You would probably want to watch the seam between backgound and water to keep it from reading as a line.

Mike, this is a lovely little drawing.

Best wishes,