Olivia
 

HI all,

this is a 30 x 44 oil of Olivia, who is 16. I used the Paxton Pallette that Marvin suggested and was very happy with the speed at which I could get where I wanted. The skin tones ended up being really luminecent, which I don't think comes off in this photo very well.

The client commissioned this before moving to Chicago, so with a little luck, it will create some referral work for me in in the Chicago area.

oops as usual

Dear Linda,

I hope this will generate a new geographic market for you! Not only is this a lovely pose, you have done a wonderful job with reflected color and texture. Could you comment on how you went about selecting the pose, gown etc?

Thanks Chris,

for perhaps 25% of the commissions I've been doing, I will see the client and subject "prior" to posing them - in other words I get a chance to not just talk over the phone, but to see the subject, the house, etc, and formulate a where the pose will be and what the dress may be. 75% of the commimmissions are formulated and photographed the first time I meet them. This always kind of amazes me that this can happen successfully - learning who they are, finding the right pose, dress and lighting and then gettin them to relax and photograph then - all in an hour or two.
This is a painting of the later type. The mom and I talked beforehand so I knew we were going for something formal yet slightly casual (she only 16) and I could discuss what type of clothing would be suitable.

From there it's just intuition and luck.

And I am very fortunate to have been born to a photographer dad - so I've been lucky to have been exposed (no pun intended) to lighting and cameras and all that for my whole life.

For this painting of Olivia the pose came alot from simply having to be near the window because this small room was sooooo dark (almost black walls).

Nice work
 

And you can get it!

Very nice color combination to pull this full length portrait together.

Congratulations - the piano is as sleek as the subject. Nothing looks cumbersome or out of place. Nice composition.