Red Chair, or Black?

[Carolyn Bannister]

Definitely the red one IMHO, frames him nicely and looks much more befitting of his status and the formal look of the portrait.

The black one looks really out of place to me, more like an everyday office chair.

Carolyn.

[Garth Herrick]

Thanks Carolyn!

I think he favors the red chair too. He actually uses the black chair in his courtroom (as do most). He is actually posed before his bench in this reference (but back a meter or more so I could see his knees). The flag is always there as is the red background wall.

Garth

[Allan Rahbek]

I am inn for the shape of the red chair too.
How about making the color of it a dark brown ? That might function as a link between all the other colors.

Allan

[Garth Herrick]

Thanks Allan,

A dark brown chair sounds like a worthy idea, for the reasons you propose.

Garth

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Have you considered a bright yellow one with a purple background?! (Just kidding!)

The red one looks much better than the other one. I would like to see the brown one too!

[Richard Monro]

Garth,
Definitely the red chair. it allows the judge to be the center of attention since it blends somewhat with the background. The black chair (aside from being just plain ugly) competes with the central figure.

[Sharon Knettell]

Garth,

For what it is worth, I think I will stick my toes into this artistic hot tub.

I think your first version with the red chair is the most effective. The grey lavender introduces another complication, it should be balanced with a bright yellow, which of course is the fringe on the flag. However that in itself creates an additional problem of the color being harmonized to go with a very distracting element, the very bright flag. I find personally that the most effective (at least for me) are color compositions based on complementaries. The red could be complemented by adding dull green to his robes. I would also really tone down that flag. It is the center of attention in what could be a very wonderful portrait. The subject is terrific.

Good luck!

[Cynthia Daniel]

I agree with the red one.

[Jeff Fuchs]

I would consider omitting the chair altogether, but if you include it, I'd go with the red.

A black chair emerging from behind a black robe could cause people to wonder whether the good judge were stricken with a heartbreaking orthopedic affliction.

[Linda Brandon]

Hi Garth,

How wedded are you to the red wall?
(I vote for the red chair, too.)