[John Reidy]

Hello Mark,

Don't dispair. I was told by an established portrait artist when I first started to paint portraits that my first three paintings would not make it into my portfolio. He was right. Sometimes I can get to a point in a painting where it is better to take the canvas off and start fresh.

I read with interest your WIP but didn't offer any suggestions because you were hearing good advice from artists more qualified than I. Plus, I don't critique style.

My advice to you is to not give up. You show a strong sense of capability. You know that each painting will offer you different challenges and result in better understanding of the medium. I agree with the limited pallette.

One other thought. I saw how you drew in your painting. Very detailed. The details can get in the way of things at this stage.

My suggestion would be to forget the details and just draw in the largest shapes such as the light side, the shadow side, the eye sockets, the general shape of the mouth. Lay in those colors and values. Once you've laid in the canvas you can start to draw and paint in the smaller shapes and values.

Good luck and don't give up.