Thanks for the much needed advice! This portrait is being done because I wanted to do it. I actually believe the wife is also deceased.
Truth of the matter is that the portrait hanging is not a good one. After reading the biography
www.whmc.af.mil/manbehindthename/page13.htm
www.whmc.af.mil/manbehindthename/page14.htm, I decided I would paint a watercolor for my cross-training package. (see my intro to the forum). After I sent my package in, I decided to donate the picture to the hospital. The current general was so impressed, he wanted to take down the oil and replace it with my watercolor. I then offered to paint an oil of the same size to replace the old picture - all I asked was for someone to pay for the suppiles. The commander agreed and now I'm doing this.
I have my reasons for doing this:
1. I really don't like the portrait personally and I feel that at least it needs to look like Gen. Hall.
2. This will be a great way to get the attention of the people that keep declining my package to cross-train into the art field!
Again - I really love the advice! I understand about the light contrast, but the only two pictures I wanted to "combine" was the B&W with the color. I feel the color is not so bad, but he just looks so depressed. I was thinking of making the mouth less of a frown like the B&W.