Brother and sister
 

It's only fitting that after I make a flap regarding the acceptance of criticism that I am unable to take any on this piece. Although I work at this full time, I'm not sure if I have a sufficient amount of seasoning for the slot next door. I may need a little more paprika.

This is a recent commission. Oil on linen, 24" x 18".

Nice treatment, Mike; it's quite unusual. I like the perspective and the soft colors. Where will this hang in the client's house?

An Enchanted Forest! Lovely!

Mike,

The "seasonings" thread came in very shortly after you joined. Bon appetit!

http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...=&threadid=391

Great, Mike! This is very creative.

While walking through the clients beautiful house, noticing everything hanging on the walls as usual, I noticed a nicely framed photograph. It was an 8x10 taken by the children's grandfather in Michigan. I was struck by the unusual perspective. The children, and the way the road lays out is much like what you see above, only the forest was mostly just blackness and no sky.

The lady said that she placed this photo in this very spot (in the corner of the den) because she was guaranteed to see it many times during the day. She was very much attached to the image. The body language of the children was something only a mother could understand.

And so I lept into my shameless commerce mode. She contacted the grandpa who gladly produced the negative and the rest is history. The painting will hang in this same spot in the den. I have done one other portrait for this family.

Regarding the image above, I first took photos of the painting with my Nikon 35mm. I was not very pleased. I then, using pro 160 speed film in my Mamiya 645 camera, took more photos. I still felt like I wasn't getting all that was there. I then took the painting to a local photo lab. They made a slide (35mm) of the painting with 100 speed pro slide film and then made the image above from that slide on a new digital printer. The difference to me was stunning.

They made an 8x10 print which I scanned at 300 dpi. Very nice image. Of course it then has to be dimmed down quite a bit to meet the 400 wide forum requirement but I feel like what you see above is as good as I have ever been able to produce for forum viewing. I'm going to just blow off trying and head straight to these guys from now on.

I'm not sure how you pulled off that very soft-edged quality throughout, and kept so much light throughout, but it's a piece that bears repeated viewing.

Congratulations.

A definite departure from the usual portrait, it seems to transport the children into a realm out of this world. I like your choice of color and the brushwork on the path, which reminds me of the Impressionists.

Dear Mike,

I found myself thinking about this painting long after I got off the Forum last night. It has a haunting, poignant quality to it that makes it special.

Good for you for posting it here, so you won't be coaxed into altering it. In my opinion, a painting that evokes feeling is a hundred times more valuable than one which just satisfies a checklist of correct values, color, composition, edges, and the like. ("The Raft of the Medusa" is one of my favorite paintings. Shamelessly emotional, isn't it?) And, for the record, your "checklist" of values, color, etc., looks just fine to me.

Linda

Wonderland
 

I too am enchanted by this painting. I'd like to walk right into it. Congratulations, you slayed the jabberwocky.

Jean

To all that have commented,

Your continued support inspires me to do my very best.

Linda,

I am touched by your response and am incapable of responding in any meaningful way.

Mike,

May I add my congratulations also? This painting is lovely, and makes me think of places I have visited. At the risk of sounding like a fortune cookie, I definitely think you are on the road to success!

Also, thanks for the info about the photo lab! I confess my photography skills are sadly lacking what it takes to get a good picture of my paintings, despite all the great advice in SOG. Photo lab, here I come! ;)

Marta,

That was certainly a cheery message you gave, thanks so much.

If I buy a good roll of pro film I will pay about $8. If I develop 10 pic's of my painting I will spend $5+. If I take my painting to the photo lab I will spend $7.50 for the first slide which includes them photographing my painting. That's almost a 50% savings for a predictably better result. I will then produce prints from the slide, the way you would use a negative.

Mike, this is lovely!

If you get a chance, I would love to see a micro close up of the area near the tree line. I love how you have handled the color there.

I just know there is a Tin Man or Scarecrow around the corner awaiting these boys! :)

Thanks Beth,

Here's a close up. It begins to break up quite a bit when I get this close but maybe it will serve.