Commission for a grandson

[Cindy Procious]

This is a beautiful drawing. But, I agree with Jimmie - since you darkened the background, there are many elements that would dissapear into the background - take nibbles out of his hairline in the shadow side, darken down the shirt at the shoulder.

I've adjusted the levels on your reference just to show you what I mean - hope you don't mind.

[Linda Brandon]

Julie, I think you did a wonderful job here. I'm just looking at this, musing whether you might have had an easier time if you had used a gray-toned paper and whether you should do this for future commissions like this.

[Michele Rushworth]

I don't think a dark background necessarily means that the shadow side of the face would have to go so much darker. The photo may have been shot with a fill, for example. I guess you can let personal preference decide for you, Julie.

[Julie Deane]

Thanks, Michelle and Linda. You're right, Linda - gray paper with highlighting would have been really nice for this. I wish I had had a sample of that for the client to choose.

You sure do reap what you sow for portraiture:
"I want it just like that" the client says, looking at your samples. So, if you show pictures of kids, you'll get more of the same, samples of elders - ditto. My goal is to get a variety of types of people and samples of only those drawing and painting styles that I prefer to do.

[Julie Deane]

Here it is with some more darkening done, and a few touches here and there.

[Terri Ficenec]

Julie, you've really captured him! I caught this thread earlier today and considered chiming in, but then it looked like you had so much advice to sift through already. You did a great job on sifting through it all and figuring out what would work for you. Beautiful!

[Julie Deane]

Thanks, Terri -

I'm glad I kept going. I see a few more things - the changing skin tone on (our) left side of the forehead messes up the values and I may fudge that a bit. Plus the shirt on our right side may need a bit more definition and lightening up here and there.

[Carolyn Bannister]

This is really lovely, you really have captured him, I really love all the detail in the texture of his skin. I think your client will be thrilled

Carolyn (Bannister)

[Richard Monro]

Julie,
I think I am being picky, but the glasses appear to be slightly off in angle compared to the reference photo which for me creates a slightly disturbing imbalance. Personally I would hate to try to make the correction at this late stage. I also agree with the comments concerning the value shifts, but other than that you have done a very credible piece of work that I am sure your client will love.

[Julie Deane]

Hi Richard -

I see what you mean. Since I lightly traced at the start to get the main things in placement, including his glasses, I'm not sure if it is the glasses or the eyebrows above them that make them look off-kilter. Will have to check.

Always feel free to nit-pick. I am trying to learn to see what is there, not just what I think I should see, so I NEED other eyes and comments. Thanks!