The Rose Maiden

[Chris Saper]

Dear Diane,

I second Alex's observations about the quality of your work - I have enjoyed everything you have posted and must apologize for being so reclusive in responding online for past number of months. I find this to be an excellent piece of work.

For my two cents worth, I would lose the roses in the upper left, and revise the roses in the SE quadrant. I like the use the roses as a foreground element to set the figure in space and to break the expanse of what would otherwise be a somewhat monotonous space

With regard to your source material for future commission work, I do agree that the hunched forward pose is tough to articulate as a graceful 3-d shape. When you drop in background elements you just want to be sure that your light color and direction are consistent with the light on your subject.

That being said, I think that this is a lovely painting, and certainly worthy of submitting to a figurative or portrait competition ( once you decide what to do about those roses!)

Aren't you glad that we are not all in your studio standing over your shoulder

[Dianne Gardner]

Thank you Chris, I really appreciate the support.
I had to laugh about your comment of looking over my shoulder. I have friends that paint with me and none of them give the critique I am asking for, they are all too kind.

I have decided to change the shape of the foreground roses so that they are not uniform. I may fade the background roses into the distance but I like the way they break up the space. I will post again with the finished piece.

Thank you for encourging me to submit to a competiton also. I have been rather intimidated by all the beautiful work I see here and have not felt like I should submit anything I have done. You've made my day just by suggesting it.

Best regards,
Dianne