Maiden

Started another portrait, this was from a picture my brother in law brought back from Italy in the 60's. Redone in Xara.

Very nice! You're sure punching them out these days, and good quality too. I use XDP pretty much every day, but I wish I had the time to just work on personal stuff :thx

From planes to maidens, very nice Merv.

A lovely portrait Merv.
Not sure why the Maiden is unhappy, because, I think you've done a fantastic job! ;))

What would happen if you darkened the iris (and pupil?) of the eye? My first impression is that doing so would enforce a better focal point (and make the face look less washed-out), but I'm not skilled and it is your piece. Thank you for sharing, and I do like it, I just feel it could be better with a small tweak.

Best wishes,
David

Thank you all for your kind comments. Rik I think she is thinking about why she wasn't done in color :D Gray I like aircraft better than portraits I guess pilots need a girl to come home too, I wish I could do planes half as good as you. Dave I see what you mean by darkening the Iris and Pupil, I did that and added some lace to the left side, I thought it needed something there, should I take the added lace out ?

I don't know why, but an even blacker eye, without a distinction between the iris and pupil appeals to me. The added veil distracts me. Liked it much better before. Perhaps try a version with the veil removed on the right side? But I really did like it the first way, and the fact that the veil wasn't proportional didn't even enter my thoughts.