Violinist
 

Just finished(?) this. . . surprisingly quickly for me! The client hasn't seen it yet so there may still be some small tweaks. There is a glare in the photo across the darks to the left of the figure. The chair on that side is darker and consistent with the rest of the chair. Will post a better photo once the paint is dry.

Violinist
20"x24"
Oil on Canvas

This is beautiful Terri! And the violin just shines. Congrats.

Great job Terri, really like the eyes in the close-up. Second Kim's thought on the violin.

Terri,

Congratulations, this is outstanding! You are raising the bar for the rest of us. How long did this take you? The yellow theme is great.

Garth

Kim, Jimmie -- Thank you! I think I spent almost more time on the violin than her face! The shine/shape/color were tricky and unfamiliar for me. Her eyes were a treat to paint, especially after the skater one with eyes downcast.

Garth,
Thanks, but I'm still stretching to reach the bar you and so many others here have set! The yellow theme was derived from the natural pine wall behind her in my reference, but I thought the knots and vertical lines would be too busy, so just used the overall color and abstracted it. Your painting of the judge was reassuring to me and helped make me think this gold could work.

Started this September 17th, so at just over two weeks (for painting, took reference photos in August), this is the quickest I've finished a commission. Her skin was so translucent it came nearly grey on the primary reference photo, so she sat for me one afternoon for me to get her coloring down. Having her pose really cut down on a lot of the second guessing and re-painting I usually do. I had also thought that the sheer fabric on her arms and shoulders would be torturous to do, but it didn't turn out to be. . . so it seemed like all of a sudden this was just done!

Thanks again!!

Just beautiful Terri! A beautifully painted face and a well designed composition. I also love the yellow background, a very difficult color to work against. It brings to mind a small Degas painting at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, "Madame Gaujelin", a picture always worth studying.

Congratulations on an outstanding painting!

This is outstanding! Really wonderful, Terri!

Aren't you happy you are using indoor light instead of outdoor light?

Dear Terri,

This is absolutely the best painting of yours I have seen. You have really handled the light/shadow transitions skillfully, your shadowed colors are lovely, and the color shifts are sensitive and so subtle.

Congratulations!

Beautiful work
 

Terri, this is absolutely spectacular work, so I offer a very small critique with a considerable amount of trepidation. Please take it for what it is, just one man's opinion. I would love to see the girl's gaze shifted somewhat to her left, as if she were focused on music. As it is, it seems to me as if she were posing rather than playing. I've taken the liberty of doing a hasty and somewhat clumsy alteration in Photoshop to show what I mean. Again, I don't want this to reflect on my enormous admiration for your skills. -- John C.

Terri,
Now this one is my favorite of yours. You are growing by leaps and bounds and it is very inspirational to see!! I love the coloring in this one and her face is painted beautifully! How many hours do you get to spend at your easel per week? The way you have progressed one would think you are not eating or sleeping, just painting!!

Yes indeed Terri - your best work to date. Such a beautiful face! Someone should start a post called "Then and Now" where we can all show a piece from 5 years ago (if we dare) and compare it to your most recent work. I'm sure many of us would be stunned at how we have grown in that amount of time. I really believe good art has more to do with how much the artist practices and observers rather than how "talented" they are.

First, Thanks so much to all of you--you've really made my day!

Sharon -- I've been trying to think through and make considered decisions on color theme/composition etc. ahead of time rather than just jumping right in and winging it. You commented on an earlier thread about how much planning and forethought you put into your pieces. I'm seeing what a difference it makes! It's nice to know that sometimes now I'm getting it right! :sunnysmil

Linda -- Hmmm... that's interesting, the indoor vs. the outdoor light, I don't think it's been a conscious choice. The more recent commissions I've gotten have been indoor settings, I was going to say because that's been the clients' choice. But now I'm sitting here wondering whether I've influenced those choices during the photo shoots (because it's easier to get a reference of the subject that works for me)?

Chris -- well, thanks! I think painting the flesh tones from life made a big difference on this piece.

John -- Thanks! And your point is well taken. We did try several variations of gaze at the photo shoot and felt the straight-on gaze was most engaging of those. In any case, I couldn't bear to change her eyes at this point...

Hi Pat! -- The workshop with Tim Tyler that I took this summer has really given me a boost, I think. I've learned so much from this forum, but somehow the direct and immediate feedback,and being shown how hit at a more subconscious, intuitive level -- at least for me... I only get to spend about 20-30 hours/week actually painting --though sometimes very late at night. I'm rather haphazard about it and paint when the mood strikes me. It could be midnight and I'm ready to call it a day, when something about the painting will nag at me, and the next thing I know it's 4am and I've got brushes to clean! Of course, on those mornings it's really a drag to get the kids off to school!

Thanks Heidi! I agree. I think also you've got to believe you can do it...

Wow, Terri, this is simply magnificent!

Terri,

Love it!! I also love the little theme you've got going with children doing their thing.

I went to the Chicago Art Institute a few weeks ago and there is a painting that has a violin in it that caught my attention. It is hanging in the same room as a JSS so you can imagine the pull it had to have to get me to look in its direction. Anyway, I just wanted to say that your violin would have the same pull. Beautiful!!

One more thing, your model is a doll.

Hi Michele-- Thanks! I sure hope the client agrees... :sunnysmil Sent her an email tonite that it's ready for her to review... I'm feeling bolstered by the response here, but always get so nervous at this stage.

Thanks Janel! Incorporating the kids interests has made things more interesting, I think...

Terri,

Make a printed copy of all these extra favorable comments to present your client. They will be thrilled with the Forum response!

I am suggesting this, because I did this myself recently when I unveiled "A Connecticut Girl: Laura at Thirteen". The parents and grand-parents were just beside themselves with excitement over the great Forum responses.

By the way, I evidently failed to mention this portrait is also my favorite of yours. :thumbsup:

Garth

I love the way you handled her head. Very sensitive.

Garth, I hadn't thought of that, thanks!

Thanks Marvin!

Terri, this is just exquisite. Her face is rendered in such a beautiful, sensitive manner. And I like the direct gaze; there's much more communication between the subject and the viewer that way. I agree that this is your best portrait yet. Brava!

Well thanks, Leslie! :sunnysmil

You are so good!
 

I've been blessed to have some very good painters and fast learners attend my classes. This is an easy way for me to look good I assure you. Four or Five are members here I think. I'm thinking I should add a student spot on our website just to feature the stars. I know it's not really appropriate, but Terri did a great landscape while in Maine-looks like JSS!

Terri,

This is such a beautiful and sensitive portrayal. I have visited it often since you posted it. It has a quality about it that I will surely strive to emulate as I begin my painting journey.

David

Thanks Tim! :sunnysmil

David, thank you! and good luck with paints! Your most recent drawing 'Abdu'l-Baha was impressive. Please keep us posted on your progress. . .