I'm back...

[ShellyF]

Hi! I have been away on holidays, and I can see I have lots of catching up to do :D

This is my latest portrait with c/p (with a little pastel added in, sshh... don't tell anybody ;) ) 11x14 suede matboard.

I took a digi pic this time instead of scanning, seemed ot be a bit better on my screen, but the white sleeve is coming out much brighter than it actually is, there's more shading to it.

Glad to be back :)

again it seems to be splotchy, cause of the pic I guess, I just want to put my finger on the screen and wipe it off GRRR, hey maybe my screen is dirty LOL!

[arlene]

beautiful...truly beautiful...you captured grandma and her grandchild...my only comment would be the leg in front is not defined enough...too big a brown mass with no interest...it cuts off the page a bit awkwardly IMHO

[ShellyF]

thanks arlene :) There is no leg in the pic:confused: , so which part are you talking about? Is it the bottom left corner? That's part of her red dress. I would really like to get this portrait just right 'cause it will be a gift for someone. :)

[arlene]

the triangular area in the lower right...

[TeAnne]

Hi Erin, wow girl, this is incrediable. The features are perfect and the womans hand blew me away. Well it all blew me away. :D except the brown triangle :( On first glance I thought it was the ladies big arm. (it's not is it?) I still love the people, the baby is wow, you're so good @ babies. oooooops welcome back Erin :cat:

[MissMouse]

Welcome back.
I have to agree with the others about the brown triangle. I wonder if yoou could extend the blanket to drape more over the shoulder thus softening the area.
The grandma and baby are truly wonderful.

[ShellyF]

Thanks TeAnne:) I guess that lower part is a bit confusing, I had such a hard time with it. It is part of the baby's dress that was all bunch up. The original dress was red and white checks, and I drew it like that at first, but it was far too busy and distracting, my eyes kept staring at it instead of the faces, so I tried making it one solid colour (had a devil of a time doing that) and I guess it's still just as distracting :( Should I maybe continue the ladie's arm (navy blue) under her dress as it is in the pic?

[ShellyF]

Thank you MissMouse.... you snuck your reply in there while I was writing my reply, :) . I will definitely try to fix that "brown" (it's actually red :o) triangle

[pencils4me]

Hi Erin!! Look what happens when you go on Holiday! :)

You really have gone nuts for the suede - and you do it so well! LOL! You have done a wonderful job here - who is the gift for? A special surprise? Whoever it is for is going to love it!

I think its the bottom right hand corner - where grandmas arm fades out looks like she has a really big upper arm. Can you maybe add a little reflective light to the backside of her arm without putting in the whole arm? Seems like as it is even though we know her arm isn't that big our eyes are saying "look!" Does that make sense?

:clap:

TJ

[sherville]

I looked at this for a while trying to see legs and arms :D I had thought that mass of brown in the corner was a blanket, but now I see how it could be an arm. I think you might need to introduce some of the same colours as what are in the face.
Other than that I think this is a great picture. I like how the CP looks on the suede board - it has a painted effect. It is a lovely portrait.

[Lulu]

Hi Erin, this is an absolutely beautiful study:) My only suggestion re the problem area is that you might try cropping it to just under the grandmother's hand. That would do away with a large part of the brown area.
It's amazing though, I have looked at it for ages and come back for more! Nice to have you back - Well done:clap: :clap:

[ShellyF]

Thanks everybody for your comments. Boy am I ever out to lunch, 'cause I wasn't even looking at the same problem area as all of you LOL!! I guess because I "know" that I faded her navy sweater and that the rest is just the color of the paper I totally missed that:D I will try to fix it. Thanks guys.

TJ, this is going to be a gift for my aunt, it's actually her with my little girl when she was a baby.

[Ivyleaf]

Okay, this is lovely, simply lovely :) Terrific tender expressions!

[ShellyF]

Thank you very much Ivyleaf:)

[Leaflin]

Hi Erin
Welcome back :)
You have captured the sweetness of a tender moment.
Your Aunt is going to love this.
Well done.

[ShellyF]

Thanks Leaflin :)