A nearly-finished painting of Mr. Femmedem staying home, staying safe.

[lunatica]

25. This is a wonderful portrait.

The informality of the pose and the lighting gives the viewer the opportunity to explore and study your husband’s features. You’ve captured his features beautifully and in such a way that your eyes linger there, captivated by the way the highlights and shadows define his features so well, without going into too much detail. Your husband has a very interesting face, lived in, seeming to be enjoying the passage he’s reading and comfortable in his environment. Unaware of being watched, engrossed in what he’s doing gives the viewer permission to watch him. The cat curled up next to him adds to the serene and comfortable relaxed feeling that you’ve evoked. The way you’ve painted his shoulder, arm and hand is excellent. You’ve done a great job with folds and the soft thickness of his clothes and his hands are amazing. I especially appreciate his sleeve from his elbow to his hand, where you capture the subtlety of shadows within shadows. Great job on the intricacies of the human figure and face.

The sofa back, curled around him, evokes thoughts of a favorite piece of furniture welcoming you in it’s embrace, molded to your body for that perfect fit.

I also really like your treatment of the window in the upper right corner where you bring in the architectural straight lines of the window frame and the straight lines of the curtain which breaks up the curviness of the rest of the painting while still maintaining the softness of the fabric of the curtains. The angular lines of the window in the upper corner complement and balance the curving lines in the bottom left, and the curled up cat in the lower right which make the entire painting worthy of being appreciated. The viewers eye has something interesting to see in all parts of the painting which in it’s geometric pattern keeps the eye traveling around the canvas. The treatment of the corners works very well.

I can’t wait to see it when you finish. I really like that you’ve decided to challenge yourself with difficult subject matter. It’s really working! Your talent is flowing out. A gift to all of us. Thanks!