Thank you everyone for all of your time and input! First, let me add that this one and the pink reclining girl painting were done at study sessions of a local artists' society. I had little or no input r.e. the poses, lighting, and little choice about my perspective. Quite a difference from an agonizing commission. I just show up, paint, and hope to get lucky! Then after the sessions I often play around from memory, seldom with reference photos. These sessions make for nice technical exercises and a reprieve from @*&!?&#!@!! commissions.
Joseph: I too have a problem with the chair. I tried to vignette and downplay it, but it's still troublesome. The sitter was sitting upright in the chair, and I was looking at his profile, slightly from behind. The light source was on his side opposite me, giving me basically a backlit profile. Should I obfuscate the chair almost completely? Let it dissolve more into the background atmosphere? Neutralize it? Indicate more of it's top? Any ideas?
Mike: Thanks! Guess it's too late 2 take much credit for that though.
Marta: His belly's out there.
Thanks 4 reminding me to always pay attention to these things. Composition, composition, composition!
Lon: Do U mean shallow dimensionally (colorism, modeling) or anatomically?
Thanks again, your fresh eyes R priceless!