Asymmetrical faces

[Chris Saper]

Hi Nancy,

Well, I'd probably go ahead and correct the gaze, if that's all that is creating the lazy eye. If the problem is that the lid droops, then there is an increased probability that you won't be able to foresee what the child will look like post-surgery. Will you be working with photos? Do you have the option of a three-quarter face with the lazy eye away from the viewer?

Regardless, you might want to consider that there is a possibility that you will be asked to come back in a year to "correct" the painting after the surgery. Then of course the child will be 1+ year older, and all will have changed. It would be worthwhile to discuss up front what will constitute "approval" of the portrait.

LOL, but I'd stop short of the client who says, "I'm getting a nose job, and my nose will look just like Michelle Pfeiffer's!"

[Tom Edgerton]

I agree with Chris.

My general rule of thumb is to consider a change if the condition is temporary, like the "lazy eye." I've filled in a couple of missing baby teeth lately.

A while ago, I painted pro golfer Sam Snead when he was still living, and he had very crooked teeth. I didn't change them though, as it produced a very characteristic smile and expression, and it wouldn't have been a good portrait if I had. His son later wrote me that the family thought it was the best likeness of him they'd seen.

So you have to watch the "improvements."

[Nancy Bea Miller]

Yikes, now I am nervous! Yes, it is just a gaze problem, no drooping lids etc. The technical term for what the child has is, I think, Partially Accommodative Esotropia. The parents did not even mention it at first and It is just barely noticeable, but of course, since I was scrutinizing the child's face so closely I noticed it. When I (very tactfully) wondered if the child's gaze was slightly misaligned then they told me about it. And yes, I am doing the portrait in 3/4 pose with the affected eye partially in shadow. So hopefully, my subtle "corrective surgery" will not really be very noticeable. Thank you Chris and Tom for your sage words of advice! I'll keep you posted.