Thank you all for your input. I know that I should have placed this under critiques, but I think I was venting more than anything else.
I guess I am frustrated because I feel he deserved more of a "stately" appearance. And artisticly, the suit and tie should have been lit in such a way as to show roundness at the shoulders, etc. The basic principles of light and shadow.
The client, however, wanted it just dark, no highlights. I guess I felt restricted.
Also, these are the first works since recovering from a badly broken right hand (yes I am right handed). The gentleman in the painting is the same age as my father would have been and their birthdays are close to the same day. My father passed away a little over a month ago.
Oh wow, I think I just figured out why I wanted to do this painting so perfectly.
Thanks everyone and sorry for venting my frustrations here. I will be more careful in the future.
