[Chris Saper]

Dear Leopoldo,

I actually love the background, and wouldn't think of changing it. It adds a sense of freshness and energy that I think works as a foil to the stillness of the pose.

After having benefit of the source photo, I see how very cool your light source is, and I feel that you have captured the warmth of shadows in a strong fashion. If you were to go back into this painting and add color to the light areas, you will be on the right track to keep whatever hues you use cooler in temperature than those in shadow. In the areas of shaved beard, the skin is usually cooled with blues or greens...here you have employed greens, to differentiate the beard, while still maintaining the temperature differential between light and shadow. The only change I might make is the color and temperature of the dark shadow in the corner of the near eye...it seems devoid of color, and as it is in shadow, it should likely read as warm, relative to the light areas. Because photos will be showing values darker than they would be in life, it's something to remember...and you can let the far edges of this shadow within a shadow also support this.

I think this is fresh and painterly...and a successful piece. I have enjoyed seeing all the work you have posted.

Best wishes, Chris