Lara, I've just re-read these posts and I think I sound a little peevish. If you had posted this over in "Unveilings" you would have received lots and lots of "well dones". This really is very lovely and it's hard to believe it's your first full-scale oil commission. I'm looking forward to seeing many more of your paintings.

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Thank you Linda and Steven for the helpful & constructive comments. I am returning back to work with some new directions and ideas. This is a such great resource. I am thrilled to be getting critiques from such qualified artists.

I agree with Linda. This is a fine piece. Only other artists would have made the comments that are made in these critiques, because we're always looking for ways to improve. I agree that de-emphasizing the dock would help draw focus on the subject, but if you left it as-is, it would still be a strong painting.

This is a delightful piece that needs to be showcased in your portfolio. Be sure to post the other one.

I like the rocks!!

Yes, we're all very fussy, and a bit crabby sometimes. It's excellent feedback, though, and I can't imagine how else we would get this marvellous critical eyes without SOG. The best I can ever get from my family is "oh, that is cute!"

This is lovely, and I'm sure your next commission will knock our socks off.

A wonderful painting -- and one that really captures the feeling of the Northwest at this time of the year!

This is very good for the first time out. The only criticism I would echo is in regard to edge treatment. Spend the next while really concentrating on edge qualities, and your painting will improve very quickly.

If you can get hold of it, get Richard Whitney's Little Red Book, "Painting the Visual Impression." He told me recently it's out of print for now, but it has a very good discussion of edges. Also, Harold Speed's "Oil Painting Techniques and Materials" is good for edges.

All in all, though, a very solid work.

Best--TE

Lara,

This is an excellent portrait and I was especially impressed by your use of flesh tones and the way you built up the colors and textures of the skin and modeled his cheeks and chin. The hair is also very well executed. I agree that the shadow of his hair line is overly pronounced, as is the definition in his lips, but there is much to admire otherwise.

In terms of making this look less photographic, when the focal point is the child the eye blurs the background. The pier could be much less distinct and more painterly to give that impression; only in a photo would all elements be equally sharp, and then only if you used great depth of field. And in order to make the child look more as though he were within the environment pictured around him, reflected light of the color of the sky or sand would help soften that sweater and give it more texture and depth. If you were looking at the sweater carefully in the outdoor light you'd probably see many more colors appearing in it than just the flat red.

Looking forward to seeing his brother!