[Chris Saper]

Hi Virginia,

My comments are probably moot since you have decided to go ahead and paint from this photo - I agree with Sharon. I have painted from problem photos like this in the past and have never been able to overcome the shortcomings of the resource material. Now I know not to try.

Suggestions for the future - it would be beter for the body to be oblique to the viewer than straight on - her body is at the broadest, most static angle that there is. I agree with your initial assessment the chair is too much for her, especially as her position way to one side of the seat makes her seem as if she thinks it is too.

There is no light/shadow information to let you make the face appear three-dimensional. As to worrying about appearing unprofessional, I think the professional thing would be to tell the client that you have been working out some compositional ideas/color studies, and that you wish to take additional photographs in order to support the painting in its most successful fashion.

In addition to not cutting off the chair, I think you need more room around the chair, perhaps some foliage in from of one side of it, in order to avoid the canvas feeling crowded.

Good luck!