My wife

[David Bottoni]

I am having a hard time finding something to place to the left (her right), besides drapery, that doesn't throw off the composition in the previous photo, while keeping the 'personality' of the portrait intact. I decided to take more pictures. This is one reference photo that I like. I also have closeups of the same pose and position to help with details when natural lighting or my wife is not available. I really wanted to have her standing next to a small table with a floral arrangement, but I am playing with limited time and resources. Which composition is the better of the two?

David

[Cindy Procious]

David,

I really like the second one - the colors of the green sweater, green chair and the flowers on the dress are great - and her hands are particularly graceful.

Your lighting is creating what my teacher calls "hatchet face" - it cuts her face completely in half - one side lighted, the other in shadow. One suggestion I would make is to turn the chair almost a quarter turn towards the window, which would put you, behind the camera, with your back against the wall next to the window.

Try for 3/4 lighting on her face, and get the actual window out of the shot. The window frame is fine (add drapery if you wish) - it will give the viewer an explanation for the lighting.

You will, of course, need to crop vertically. I've lightened the right side of her face a bit to show you what you might aim for. Hope you don't mind.

Good luck!

[Michele Rushworth]

I agree with Cindy's thoughts and suggestions. The second one has a nice and relaxed pose. Just watch out that her elbow doesn't stop too close to the edge of the painting.

[Linda Brandon]

Hi David,

Your wife reminds me so much of Alphonse Mucha's Art Nouveau models that I just had to post one of his works.

I would encourage you to really paint something wonderful with her - lots of fabric and an imaginative setting and pose. (Personally, I'm dying to put somebody in a 'Mucha' pose.) Take lots of time setting it up and working out photography problems. It will make you more experienced (and opinionated) when you have clients lining up at your door. You'll have more fun with the painting if you take it a little bit out of the ordinary, and you certainly have the technical skill to carry off anything you can dream up.

I'll admit the crown is a little much. I guess that's all part of being Mucha.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

David, she is there, she is still willing to cooperate (unlike my kids and husband...), just do two paintings!
Start both paintings at the same time and see that each of them will help you with the other one! If you don't believe in one of them just throw it away and keep working on one only. You have nothing to loose.
Personally I also think that in the first photo you can loose the background, just put some neutral colour in the same tone as the midtone of the face!
Ilaria