Kate Middleton Portrait

[happygirl]

I don't think it that bad.

 

[abdmom]

OK. After staring at it for a while - does the left pupil look bigger than the right?

 

[OceanAnnie]

The funny thing is, in all the pictures I've ever seen of Kate --- not one has ever looked like that! Not one. I did read somewhere that the artist went by a picture, but I have seen where artists have an array of pictures to use to capture the person's best features.

Oh well. Maybe there will be another (better) portrait for Kate in the future.

 

[M2B]

It isn't very flattering at all. The smile isn't a good one, it doesn't even look natural. Why couldn't he have painted her with a real smile on her face, with the natural expression that goes with it?

Redo.

 

[happygirl]

I'm not fond of it either.

I heard an interview with the artist yesterday and he said that he changed her eye color some. He took that liberty for the purpose of making her eyes match her blouse and the background better.

Here's an article with photos also:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ss-Cambridge-artist-Paul-Emsley-unveiled.html

Thanks for the link Is she pregnant in those pics?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

The lines in her face, especially under hey eyes are the worst part for me. Makes he look old and tired like Pp's have said. I think he was trying for a demure smile and failed.

 

[Stitchfans]

Is there a link to the photo. someone can share

the picture of the portrait is a couple posts up from yours. #12 .. Phorsenuf's
(hope I spelled her user name correctly)

I also am not very fond of the portrait. She has a much softer, lovelier face then that. It does make her look older. As said the smile/smirk is not becoming either.

 

[KiKi Mouse]

I found it to be depressing.

It's dark and Kate does look older and tired.

When I first saw it I just thought "oh".

 

[DVCJones]

I don't care for it. She looks so tired it in. She looks like she's smirking too. It could have been much better.

I don't love it, but I like it, I guess. I like everything but the eyes. They make her look older than she is. As far as her smirk... It is very hard to capture someone's smile when painting. People smile showing their teeth in real life. Most artist paint closed mouth portraits because it is very difficult to do. The public is used to seeing her pretty toothy smile. Not a closed mouth smile.

 

[hoosll]

My first thought was that it was done by a velvet-Elvis artist to be sold at the starving artist show at the local Holiday Inn.

So sad that such a lovely vibrant young woman should look so smug and tired.

 

[Handbag Lady]

It looks dull. There is no spark or sparkle; things which we associate with dear Kate.

 

[SaraJayne]

It looks dull. There is no spark or sparkle; things which we associate with dear Kate.

I agree. It looks very dull and flat.

 

[mamamary]

It looks dull. There is no spark or sparkle; things which we associate with dear Kate.

I agree

 

[pigletgirl]

The expression is horrid. She looks almost constipated in it! They need a do-over!

 

[diz8297]

I don't love it, but I don't hate it either. Thing is-it's a painted portrait not a photograph. It's the "official" portrait, so I suppose the artist was going for something subtle and dignified.

 

[design_mom]

A long time ago, my parents had a dog that my mother adored. After the dog died, my dad had a portrait painted of the dog (painted from a photograph). When the painting was done, it looked kind of "blah" and flat. We were disappointed, but when you compare it to the photograph they were VERY close. But with the photo, it was easier to imagine the dog captured in the moment, but doing other things before/after. The painting had much more of a "moment preserved in history" feel.

I also remember my art teacher warning us never to try to "cheat" by drawing/paint from a photograph. She claimed she could always tell if a student had, because the photo "flattens" the image once and the painting flattens it again.

I have no doubt that the picture is a good likeness of the photograph he used to paint from. If I viewed them side by side, I'd probably say it was a "good painting." but I don't think it does Kate any favors. It doesn't capture the friendliness that she seems to exude. I think the expression is weird. It's neither smiling nor serious, which is just kind of a weird in-between thing.

 

[OceanAnnie]

There are some good spoof pictures of the portrait on the DM. I like the Mister Bean portrait.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-pranksters-create-alternative-portraits.html

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

It would look nice if her eyes were different in the portrait..

 

[DeluxePrincess]

It's not that bad. I think the background should have been lighter. Her outfit is what is aging her.

 

[beaucoup]

I wouldn't say it's horrid. Its just the eyes & something about the mouth that make her look older & tired. Not sure about the nose either. It doesn't help that the portrait is huge. Makes everything magnified.

Perhaps those areas of the painting can be redone. Or is she too polite to say anything?

I often wonder in the age of digital photography & software, why are we still having using paintings as someones official portrait. When you don't know what the final outcome will be. A digital photo can be made to have an oil painting look. At least you know it will resemble the person.