Cyrille, I laughed and laughed as I read about the experience at the Marcolini home. I am sure you are much much better now at keeping your wise comments to your self while considering what a client wishes. O well, sad but we all have our moments.

Last year I flew into Paris. Rented a nice room and spent some seven days walking around the city visiting galleries and art museums. From there I rented a car and headed to La Rochelle, the one time home of the artist William Bouguereau. From there visited a number of places while heading towards the Riviera. Bordeaux was where I stopped and while strolling in the downtown area, I managed to spot some chocolates in a window. The shop was about to close but the patrons were kind enough to serve me with some wonderful chocolates. I bought a small box of 20 assorted chocolates and later while km away I began to hate my self for not purchasing more.

O well. Now I look forward to the day to visit France again if nothing but for the chocolates.

Cyrille,

These are quite nice, I agree! They show confident and disciplined line work, and excellent form. I would like to see some of the strength shown in the hair in the shading of the drawing. It is possible to use bolder shade lines, and not distract from the drawing. The shading could afford much bolder lines without any distraction at all. In fact, the hair attracts the eye by the beauty of the lines. The line work you did is great, but a bit timid in the shading. It is as though we think, when we draw a shade line, that it will detract if too bold. When in fact, a little boldness of line only adds strength and balance of a drawing such as this.

I appreciate the use of linework in your drawing, rather than just rubbing in the shadows. It is more difficult, and requires discipline and practice, but well worth the effort.