Colette

[Linda Brandon]

I like this one very much, Alex, and I especially like the nice touches such as the halation off the western shoulder. I love the pose, too. Can we please see a closeup of those hands?

[Julie Deane]

Alex, it's lovely. I'm struggling with doing better compositions, and felt a lot better after reading your take on your own, because it almost precisely echoed my own thoughts after viewing it. One other thought - I love the heart-like feel of those dips in the sofa, which go well with this beautiful Valentine of a painting.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Sharon: Thank you--coming from you, the master of composition and color, that is truly a compliment. I've wanted to paint Colette's face since she was about two or three, so I finally decided now was the time before she lost that look.

Linda, thanks, but I can't top your magnificent head and I'm not going to try. As soon as I get a moment in the next day or two I'll try to get a good shot of the hands, I promise!

Julie, that's a lovely thought about the heart shape of the sofa back. Thank you for mentioning it, and for your thoughts on the composition, which I have to admit fascinated me and occupied my thoughts long before I started this painting. In fact I was so into the idea, I was afraid it wouldn't work!

[Molly Sherrick Phifer]

This is just scrumptious. What an adorable little girl and a wonderful mood to this. I love it!

[Kimberly Dow]

Alex, this is lovely and Im totally jealous of the skill you used to pull off those freckles!

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Alex, I really like this, such a witty expression.
Beautiful light too! a
As I was discussing somwhere else on the forum, being photographed is often the worst thing that can happen to a painting.
I am sure we are missing a lot on your work, but at least we can appreciate the great composition
Many thanks for posting
Ilaria

[Alexandra Tyng]

Thanks All!

Molly, how nice that you dropped in--I've been missing you and wondering how you are doing at Marvin's workshop. Glad you like this

Kim, stop it, you can paint any kind of skin! No need to be the least bit jealous. though you are sweet to say so.

Ilaria, The light was fun--very cool and silvery. Now that I think of it, you often paint cool light, too. Maybe I was inspired by your work. I'm glad you like her expression.

Since I posted this I started a minor remodeling job on Colette and I got carried away repainting parts of her face and hands--which explains, Linda, why I have not posted a closeup of the hands yet. The photographer forgot to take closeups, so I'm taking it back to get them done, and I'm going to mention the freckles issue and see if she can't get the closeups more true-to-life. I'll post the new photos when I have them.

[Chris Saper]

Very, very lovely. Congratulations!

[Alexandra Tyng]

Chris, sorry for the long delay in thanking you. So many good portraits have been posted recently and I kind of forgot about this, and about Linda's request to see a closeup of the hands.

Mark, thank you also. There was so much cool light, direct and reflected, in Colette's face especially. Very interesting to paint.

I just got the rest of my slides back. Somehow the photographer does a much better job than I can do even using my digital camera. I really appreciate all the nice, encouraging things you said!

Here are the hands:

[Terri Ficenec]

Hi Alex--
Don't know how I missed this the first time around! It is so fresh and beautifully done! Those hands are spectacular. I too especially enjoy the way you've used the cools in her flesh tones. A real treat!