Christine's coming along

[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 . . .

[Patricia Joyce]

I'm so thrilled. I just received an e-mail from Christine's mother. I sent her the image yesterday and this is what she wrote back:

"Wow! I repeat: Wow!!! You captured her likeness and her personality too!!! I can tell her mood and read her eyes just looking at the picture. How cool. John commented about how truly talented you are as he looked at the picture."

This is such a great shot in the arm, really boosts my confidence!! Thought my friends here would enjoy it.

Have a great day!

[Steven Sweeney]

Originally Posted by Patricia Joyce

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.

No problem with that at all. My "lists of things to look at" are merely that, and if something is in fact exactly as the artist intended, then as far as I'm concerned, that's the way it should be.

[Mike Dodson]

This is turning out to be your best yet. It seems in this drawing that you are working with so much confidence. My initial thoughts were the same as Michele's in that it is very "Ryder" like. It also has a bit of a Vermeer feel to it.

Look forward to seeing the finished piece.