Little Cutie

Margaret Suddeth · 08-03-2005, 05:34 PM

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!"

Carol Norton · 08-03-2005, 07:04 PM

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

Linda Brandon · 08-03-2005, 08:07 PM

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.

Garth Herrick · 08-03-2005, 08:16 PM

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

Janet Kimantas · 08-03-2005, 08:39 PM

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

Garth Herrick · 08-03-2005, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janet Kimantas

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.

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!

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

Garth

Janet Kimantas · 08-03-2005, 10:11 PM

Oh dear, now I feel completely silly. The kid to which I refer (my kid) is the one who said that my painting looked like an alien. The comments that followed regarding the alien remark seemed to refer to a small child, smaller at least than mine. The little girl in the painting is an altogether adorable third party child (not mine). I hope this is all now clear as mud.

It is just so hard to goof around in text only. Sorry for any confusement.

Janet

Garth Herrick · 08-03-2005, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garth Herrick

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

Garth

Oooppps! I could have read more carefully; my apologies.

Anyway I really like this painting of the little cutie. It is so freshly and directly painted!

Garth

Janet Kimantas · 08-03-2005, 10:59 PM

Hey Garth,

No harm done. This text stuff is tricky. By the way, your good opinion means a lot to me. Earlier today you mentioned to do another one. Well I did. I'll post it in a day or so. I took this week off work because I'd really rather be painting. So I am painting up a storm.

Janet