Portrait of Louisana Governor

[Mark Gil]

Greetings,

I just joined and would like some feedback on one of my recent portraits. Our Governor loves to hunt. I really like Stroke of Genius site. I would like to get my portraits on the site in the near future.

Thanks,
Mark

[Steven Sweeney]

Administrator's Note: This topic was moved to "Critiques" after the following post.
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Since this is the "Unveiling" rather than "Critique" subject area, I'll just say that one thing I like about this piece is that the subject is doing something meaningful to or characteristic of him, rather than just rigidly posed in some standing or sitting position wearing "portrait clothes". This won't work for every subject, but it seems to fit the "looks" of this fellow, who doesn't appear to be someone who would enjoy a long gubernatorial pose in a button-down suit and tie.

The drawing looks good, proportions correct, color hues look accurate. I grew up in hunting country in the rural West, and I kind of feel like I know this guy just from the way you've depicted the clothing and setting.

The composition is notable for the fact that the subject seems to be walking right out of the painting. I'd probably bring the left edge over to just behind the collar; that is, lop of the left 1/4 to 1/3, and bring the subject's face back into the focal area of the painting. I'm not saying that a portrait can't be constructed in a horizontal format, but I think it would work better if the subject's gaze were out over the larger portion of the format, rather than just getting started before it runs off the picture. So if this subject were to stay where he's at but turn around and look the other way, the piece would probably seem more balanced, more comfortably readable.

(I also have a slightly unorthodox sense of composition and I have a feeling that I could make my peace with this after I got used to it. But I don't believe the present composition would be favored as a rule.)

You might want to re-post this in the "Portrait Critiques" area if you're interested in possibly soliciting additional comment.

Very nice work -- this one's growing on me every time I flip back to it.

Steven

[Karin Wells]

This is certainly a different kind of portrait for a state Governor!

Maybe it is the perspective of your photo that makes this look strange to me, but the horizon line of a body of water must always be EXACTLY PARALLEL to the top of your canvas....i.e., if you see a glass of water (even on a tilted surface)... the water line will ALWAYS be level.

[Timothy C. Tyler]

This is original and the head itself is well done. I tend to agree with the comments above. I think there are many basic devices from general picture design that you could and should use to further the impact of the work. The horizon is presently as important as the head (visually speaking) if we look for hard edges, contrast, graghic strengh, temp. contrast etc. I recently did a little still life where I used about every little trick to push the focal point. It was done with a heavy hand and yet it works and no one has ever even mentioned it. I'd post it here but it's your thread not mine, and I feel that's a little intrusive.

Soften that which is not the focus and be a stronger-minded editor. The head is very solid, very nice. Less is usually more.

[Mark Gil]

Thank you so much for the critique. I finally found a place where I can get useful information to improve on my portraits. I will send more!

Mark