Christine's coming along

[Josef Sy]

Great start Patricia! I really like how you rotated / change the pose from the reference picture. It really makes a difference. Good job.

[Jean Kelly]

I prefer your drawing to the reference photo, and it looks very much like her. So far, it's lovely Patricia. I wouldn't take the fabric very far with this one, it will detract from the softness of her face. I would say that you are over your block and have come back with flying colors.

Jean

[Patricia Joyce]

Thank you Josef and Jean,

I am really glad you like the tilt of her head in the drawing. It was not intentional, except that as I was concentrating on the drawing I kept thinking about Chris' sweetness and the way she tilts her head and has a quiet smile. Intuitive? Wouldn't that be cool!

I agree that the fabric should remain unfinished. I like that look anyways. But I do want to finish her hand and may have to do some indication of more drapery so that it doesn't look to be floating?

[Terri Ficenec]

Pat-
This is just beautiful, she has a madonna-like quality to her, sweet and serene.

[Chuck Yokota]

Pat,
I also like the tilt of her head in the drawing better than the reference; with her expression, it clearly communicates a bright and appealing personality. You have definitely come back from your artist block.

[Steven Sweeney]

Hi Pat,

Since you know the routine, I

[Patricia Joyce]

Thank you Terri, Chuck ad Steven,

Thank you Terri and Chuck for the compliments!! My full intention was to draw out her sweetness, which I failed to do in the previous SIX drawings I've attempted - this one seems to be working!! It is a great boost to my confidence to read these remarks . . .

Steven, your observations are acute and keen as always, and greatly appreciated. Some of the issues I was aware of, others I would not have seen without a second pair of critical eyes (the forward edge of neck, shoulder anatomy, catch light in eyes) I have much to study before getting back to her, which will not be until the weekend. So she is on my easel in my living room, where I can study and think about my approach reference your notes.

A couple of things I did purposefully. I elongated the neck because the photo did not do her decoulatage justice and I wanted it to appear as graceful as she appears in life. But I did not consider enough the angle of the shadow and it's affect. This will take much more consideration.

Yes there is a funny bulge on the tip of her nose! There is a line I took out last night and instantly it read much better. I did have a hard time with the shadow under our left eye and I will follow your advice and not be as "true" to the photo contrast - I like that shadow and wanted it rendered well, but have been frustrated by it I guess cuz I was putting too much emphasis on the "crescent of light"?

Ok, you caught me, forgetting that the eyeballs are round!! So MANY things to always be thinking about in a portrait drawing!!

More later . . .