Reference drawings/photos of children

[Chris Saper]

Hi Lynn,

Although it looks like you plan to go forward, I really need to echo the sound advice you've already received from Garth and Mike. Think of it this way: you have been hired for additional portraits because you have done a good job on the first. I know that I couldn't and wouldn't attempt the project at hand, because I couldn't possibly do my best work in these circumstances. In order to get still more work and more referrals, I think you can't now deliver anything less than you originally did.

[Mary Reilly]

Hi Lynn,
If you are going to go forward with this, I have two suggestions.

One is to request additional photos from the parents that can be used as reference. They probably have lots more photos. Tell them that you are not concerned about the pose, you just want to see whatever additional photos they may have. This method has helped me tremendously when clients provide the photos. I just had a similar situation where I was working on a second portrait for someone. Their daughter is now in college, but the mom wanted a painting of when she was three. I had one photo for the pose, another for hair color, another for eye color etc. A tough assignment by the mom was very happy with the results.

My second suggestion is to try and get a book published by North Light called "Painting Vibrant Children's Portraits" by Roberta Carter Clark. I don't know if it is still available as I got it several years ago. The first three chapters give some excellent information on anatomy at different ages.

Hope this helps,
Mary

[Lynn Der]

Thank you all for your help. I have to finish this painting because the mom wants it badly. I probably will end up not using it in my portfolio, and hoping that a potential rich patron never sees it!

I may post it sometime as an example of what NOT to do.

Lynn Der