Fran & Terry, in progress
 

I'm posting a charcoal sketch which I did with some flesh tones to work out the gesture of the couple.

I am not happy with the position of the man's left hand. It gives an appearance of being too short from shoulder to elbow and the looks awkward to me. I am waiting for this couple to pose for me so that I can arrange both of the man's hands more naturally. You'll notice I haven't given him a right hand at all yet.

In this pose, the man is actually leaning forward with his right arm resting on the back of the woman's chair. He is seated on a higher level stool behind her. She has her arm resting on the arm of the chair (which I have not pictured at all).

My main focus at this stage was to capture the cuddling gesture of the couple. I know the couple personally and they are so affectionate towards one another. I feel it's important to reflect this in the final painting. Also, the woman has always a dazzling smile with dimples. To have her not smiling would be to not recognize her as she is. How do I represent her smiling without looking photographic?

Cinda Gazaway

Lovely start!
 

This is going to be wonderful!

I particularly like the way you have made his skin tones a value darker and less chromatic than hers.

For the smile, paint the teeth cylinder by making back teeth darker, and cast a shadow under the upper lip.

Avoid the clumsy foreshortening of the man's hand by sliding it down along her arm (not too far off the canvas!) and spread a few fingers.

Just my two cents on a million-dollar subject!

Jeanine,

Thank you for the suggestion about the man's arm and the encouragement. I'll post the next stage as soon as the couple are able to pose for me again.
Cinda