Commission for a grandson

[Chris Saper]

Julie,

It's beautiful and it's done.

It's more than the photo ever was, what a lovely job.

[Julie Deane]

Thank you, Jimmie and Chris. But, gosh, now what do I do? Such a difference of opinion!

I agree with Jimmy that the hair is much too light, mainly on (our) left side, where it should be darker against the background. And I do feel there are value issues, or wouldn't have pressed for feedback.

I'm toying with the idea of lightening up the background a tad just to avoid what to me feels like a "cut out" appearance. I would have to use pastel to do it, though, since it is really ground in there - pastel/pencil mix.

[Carolyn Bannister]

Hi Julie,

I have to say I really like it, I think you have captured the texture of his skin wonderfully, it looks really soft, just how older skin is.

The only thing that I noticed, and take this with pinch of salt because I'm not really qualified to critique, is that his shoulders seem a little low, or is it his collar where it meets the face? To me it gives the impression that he is a slimmer man with a longer neck.

Carolyn (Bannister)

[Michele Rushworth]

He'll love it. I think it's fine as it is, personally.

[Patricia Joyce]

This is a lovely drawing. Older people make great portraits in my opinion because there is so much to render. What I would do, following Jimmie's advice, is to really, really squint down and see the shapes of the values. I think if you brought up the lightest sides of the whole form, forehead, nose, cheek, neck and shirt you will like the dark background better. And I would darken the ear which is in shadow.

It is a beautiful drawing. You have really captured this gentleman and he will love it even if you don't change it from it's current state.

[Cindy Procious]

This is a beautiful drawing. But, I agree with Jimmie - since you darkened the background, there are many elements that would dissapear into the background - take nibbles out of his hairline in the shadow side, darken down the shirt at the shoulder.

I've adjusted the levels on your reference just to show you what I mean - hope you don't mind.

[Linda Brandon]

Julie, I think you did a wonderful job here. I'm just looking at this, musing whether you might have had an easier time if you had used a gray-toned paper and whether you should do this for future commissions like this.

[Michele Rushworth]

I don't think a dark background necessarily means that the shadow side of the face would have to go so much darker. The photo may have been shot with a fill, for example. I guess you can let personal preference decide for you, Julie.

[Richard Monro]

Julie,
I think I am being picky, but the glasses appear to be slightly off in angle compared to the reference photo which for me creates a slightly disturbing imbalance. Personally I would hate to try to make the correction at this late stage. I also agree with the comments concerning the value shifts, but other than that you have done a very credible piece of work that I am sure your client will love.

[Lon Haverly]

Good drawing, and good likeness! It really does not have to be as dark as the photo to be a good likeness. Turn it in.