Painting #92: A self Portrait

Please see below.

Look closely at the ball! I am holding the ball in my left hand. Yes! this counts as self-portrait in my books… . Something about this is not sitting right with me…. and I can't figure it out. Do provide your feedback. (The fingers are positioned the way they are for a little drama).

Hi Faisal
This is very good!
I wonder about the flatness of your palm, usually there is a bit more height (thickness of the the muscle at the place where the thumb joint originates) . Or this might be a very accurate rendering of your hand, of course. The shadow at the base of the little finger gives the impression that there is an indent at that fold. The reflection in the ball is really nice!

Hope these comments might help.

Thanks Alan, I see what you are saying…

Here is attempt #2…

This is a unique idea and I like it. Changing the background color and gradient helped. The little finger is bothering me now. I think it still needs the shadow along the side nearest the ring finger to give it roundness, and just reducing the shadow in the deep fold is good, but there still should be some connection to the shadow on the ring finger. With all the shadow removed on the little finger, it just feels totally disconnected.

Thanks Judy, I agree with everything you said, fantastic feedback... Love it..

Hope it helps. Sorry I haven't been as active. It seems like all of us are supper busy with summer being here.

This is different for you and I like it.

I had to hold out my own hand to see what, if anything, could be improved with it.

1. The ball needs some kind of a shadow under it to seat it. It shouldn't be much, just a bit darker where the ball meets the palm as the rounded shape of the ball would create a bit of darkness at the very base.

2. I couldn't get my hand in the exact position as yours but just about anyway I positioned it brought the little finger a bit closer to the ring finger than you have it. I think the pinky finger may bother Judy because it doesn't seem to be correctly connected to the rest of the hand? Not sure about this - it's hard to pinpoint. And I also think there should be a bit of shadow on the pinky like in your first version.

Hope that helps.

Wonderful feedback Jan,… It is always good to hear from you. However the painting is already sold on DPW and off to its purchaser…

Congrats on the sale!

Congratulations on the sale, Faisal! You have 'the whole world' in your hand now!!   

Thanks Judy and Alan. Good one Alan!… Like the Pun…

I thought the hand looked great, and I could get my little finger into the shape you painted. Congratulations on another sale.