Mari,
Thank you for your kind words and advice. I think that you and Peggy actually point to essentially the same issues in the painting. There is generally a flat appearance to the figure that makes the painting a little bit like those old portraits of children who were depicted usually throttling some unsuspecting animal (typically a bird)!
This is something that I will definitely have to work on. At this stage I think I will leave the decisions about the dress and the background until I am happy with the face and arms.
Peggy,
I would really appreciate your "walking me through" this one, although I must warn you that the last time someone did this on this Forum ... well, that's another thread.
In terms of source material, I do have a very good close-up of the face that I know will provide me with a way to address the issues that you have raised concerning the depiction of the face and hair.
Specific questions:
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The skin tones are a little too cool. Although there is a smattering of orange on the cheeks and at the shadow of the arm, the rest of the body is too pale and too light. It is lacking in chroma. This is especially apparent with the strong warm value in the background. I would like to see some of that chroma and warmth in the skin tones. You also want the figure to be the star, not the background.
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As a new artist I want to ask you some questions about palette. The approach that I have taken so far is to treat the light as warm and the shadows as cool. Hence the lighter skin tones consist of Cadmium Scarlet, Cadmium Lemon, Sap Green and probably too much Titanium White (all Winsor & Newton) with the darker tones created by adding French Ultramarine, Alizarin Crimson, Sap Green, Viridian, Cadmium Lemon and Cadmium Scarlet. What other colors would you recommend to "strengthen the face" and improve the "chroma?"
Once I have found an appropriate palette, darkening the eyelashes, nostrils, mouth and eyes will not be a problem.
One issue that Mari raises is the consistent sharpness of line that gives the figure a cut-out quality. Are there any lines in the face that you feel should be softened?
I agree, the hair does lack life. I think I will be able to work on it and to round out the back of the head at the same time (which would include introducing a slight 'aura' behind the head).
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I would love to see you stretch yourself to really nail this one.
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The reason I joined this Forum was to be "stretched" by the some of the best teachers. I enjoy "stretching." Once again, thank you for your encouragement.