Lexie

[Sharon Knettell]

Janel,

Your design and lighting are lovely. I see you have the ability to really capture the human face.

I rant on about working from life and this is a wonderful opportunity to do so.

As you are obviously adept at photography, photograph your daughter in available light, in the same area where you can set up a canvas. Place your canvas, the photo and Lexie side by side in a row with the canvas being in the middle.

As children are wiggly use the photo to correct your drawing but observe and paint the color from life. Photos miss so much color in skintones it is a shame not to attempt to actually see what is there.

I did a painting of a little girl in a ballet skirt that way. It is in my SOG site. The girl, who was ten, would not sit still for a second. She was delightful, animated and bright. I doubt I could have gotten any of her spirit from the photo, which was perfectly adequate. There is no comparing the color either.

Sincerely,