Jamie

Yes, can we get some closeups? I don't see how we can snarf your technique without a closer look.

This is so light and fresh. The transition from light to shadow is really nice. He looks vibrant. I like your handling of the foliage as well, those leaf edges are definitely Bouguereau-esque.

But you did ask for a critique, so here are a few quibbles.

I rather like the dark background. It's unusual today, maybe, but a classic idea. I think dark backgrounds allow us to appreciate the serious nature of children, or appreciate them seriously.

The hair has wonderful colors in it. I especially like the amber hues you have in there. The edges seem uniformly soft, and the green is of a lighter value than the foliage, though, which is giving him a haloed appearance.

I was thinking about our long discussion about one eye on the center of the canvas. The center of the canvas seems to fall right between his eyes, creating a very uniform negative space, and not centering interest on one eye.

I really like the right side of his jacket. The way it catches the light is very good. Again, the edges have a uniformity to them but I don't suppose anyone's looking for that very hard once you've dazzled them with his face. The left side of his jacket might be an opportunity for you to lose the edge entirely, maybe picking up more fo the foliage colors and really pushing it back, where it seems to want to push forward currently.

Taken together, the more or less uniform edges, centered placement, big smile, halo effect of the hair, and excellent brushwork are creating a photographic appearance.

Truly, these are quibbles. The light of the paint is the first and strongest impression.

Best
Lisa

[Michele Rushworth]

Here's a closeup.

Thanks for your kind comments, everyone, and I especially appreciate the suggestions for improvement.

[Leslie Ficcaglia]

Michele, I love this portrait. You've caught the child's charm and his personality shines through. The painterly way you've delineated the hair and the fabric of the shirt is wonderful. I also especially like the way the curls in the hair are echoed by the soft rounded shapes of the leaves. My only quibble is that at least on my monitor the lower part of his face, especially on the viewer's left, is so dark that it draws the eye and also makes it appear that that portion of his cheek and chin recedes a bit more than I would suspect that it actually does. A little more light on the outward curve where the lower cheek swells between the edge of the mouth and our left side of the face would be just enough to make a significant difference. Otherwise it's perfect.

[Jeff Fuchs]

Michele,

I've come back to this one a couple of times, and just realized that I haven't commented on it yet. There's not much to say that hasn't already been said. I'm surprized to see that you haven't added it to your website yet. Did the client not want you to put it there? That would be a shame.

This painting is a beauty. It will be treasured by the family for many generations. I can't help but get the feeling that it was painted with great ease, like everything fell into place the first time. It just doesn't look like anything was a struggle. Am I right? Were you really in the zone while you painted this one?

[Michele Rushworth]

Thanks, everybody, for your comments on this one. I delivered it yesterday and the client was very happy.

I don't like to put images on my website 'til the clients have seen the paintings and approved them. Also, Cynthia is out of town so it may be a while before this painting and the Shauna one are up on my site.

I wouldn't say it was a breeze to paint. What gave me the most trouble was the slight angle of the head. After I got a protractor and measured the angle of the main face axis (it was four degrees off of vertical) things went much more easily. I had been subconsciously trying to make everything squared up to perfectly vertical and horizontal and that put all the features out of alignment. Once I got out my level and plumb line and started using the protractor, everything fell into place.

[Jeanine Jackson]

This is wonderful, Michele! Your clients should hold a very large unveiling party in your honor.

I have two minor offerings.

The halation is almost too perfect. I would like to see a few areas of the dark foliage lace through the hair on top.

I am so glad you posted the detail. The angles of his shoulders and head do not look easy and you captured them all beautifully. Perhaps a little color vibration through the blues and/or warmth in some shadows would add interest.

Breathtaking!

[Chase Mitchell]

Excellent work! I love the expression. It really gives the work life and adds character.