Glass of lemonade

[Olena Babak]

Thank you once again.
Now I feel like I have to get my cup of coffee and read all the replies once again wile staring at my painting. Definitely don

[Alexandra Tyng]

Hi Olena,

There is such a wonderful feeling in this portrait. The foliage has an abundant, lush, slightly wild look that goes with the romantic aura of the woman. You're really created a mood here. Very intriguing, and it hints at a story, so it crosses the line into figurative art which I like, also. I love the big, expressive brushstrokes and the colors!

I agree with Allan that the values in the shade (including the figure) need to hang together. The dress and skin could be lighter and warmer than what Alan has created in Photoshop (no offense, Allan) and still work. As it is now, the dress to our right is as light as the foliage, yet it has no feeling of light. The rest of the dress is too light, especially against the wall near the bottom, but it doesn't have enough feeling of shadow. Same with her chest. In other words, you are sending an ambivalent signal. To make this area recede into the shadow yet not make it too dark or cool, try adding some yellow-orange tones into the pink of her dress, etc., mixed with a very small amount of cool color. If you let the warm color predominate it will give life to the shadows.

I also want to mention the grin and teeth. To me, this is not subtle enough. I think maybe a slight smile might make us wonder what she is thinking.

[Olena Babak]

Thank you for all of your input and help with figuring out how to finish this portrait. It took me longer than I expected to finish it. Also I ended up being in the process of moving from one apartment to another, but now I have more space and a real studio . And I just went to the airport to pick up my mom. She usually comes over to visit from Ukraine about once a year and I desperately want to spend some time with her. I hope to talk her in to modeling for me for a portrait in the nearest future.
Anyway, here is the portrait that I am working on. I did a few changes and now I think I

[Alexandra Tyng]

Lovely, intriguing, and mysterious, Olena. I can see you really worked on this but did not overwork it at all. That takes restraint and I'm really impressed with the result.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

That's great Olena, a very beautiful work.

[Sharon Knettell]

Olena,

This is a very successful piece and you should be proud of it. The color is rich and lively.

Painting a picture with foreshortening as I have said before is very difficult. Mine is taking me way longer than I thought as well.

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Olena,
I agree with the others that this a charming , fresh picture now and that you should not fiddle too much with it.

But I have some minor suggestions about the landscape, if you don