JOHN HENRY FOLLEY
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What do you think of these poses for my son's portrait?

2/14/2024

39 Comments

 

It's that time again - time to try to capture one of these cute kiddos on canvas.

This time, it's my third child who was in the studio posing for me. 
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In case you're not tracking, my wife Deirdre and I have a sizable little posse now. Our little man here, from the middle of the pack, is one of the most vivacious little guys you could hope to come across. (In fact, it's fair to say that he's a more vivacious little boy than some people can handle.)
Having him in the studio was delightful. But it was also a bit of work to get a pose out of the little guy! On top of being lively, t.a.l.k.a.t.i.v.e, and squirmy, he's also one of the most facially expressive people I know. One second the light would be just right and the pose would be almost getting there... and the next second the moment would have passed and he'd be leaving us in his dust. But we got some good shots in spite of him! 
I'm including a few of the outtakes here to give you a sense of his larger-than-life personality: 
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This is him on very restrained behavior, doing his best to be still and good: 
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I believe he would have provided excellent material for Rockwell. 

But, as much as I love the comical side, I do want to focus on one of these images that will translate more naturally into a formal oil portrait. 
So let's talk about some of these options: 
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A. This shot is lovable for the tight energy and high contrasts. I'm a fan of the warm gold going on here, of his hair looking neat and tidy, and of the twinkle in his eye. Beyond that, it's not the best depiction of someone who's generally rough-and-tumble and rowdy as a puppy. ​
B. The color and contrast are good; it's a fun, thoughtful pose. This has an air of 'The dreamer.'
C. The abundance of light and color in this is very winning. It's a good amount of focus while also capturing something of the electricity of his smile. I like that we have a good view of his eyes. 
D. This is a very sweet shot and, again, I love the warmth of this background and the soft tones in the face. It captures the little boy time of his life, but we are losing a great deal with his eyes averted. 
E.  In terms of photography, this is the weakest of the bunch. But we find that the shot captures his smile perhaps most authentically of all the pictures taken. Although the focus isn't the best, I'm considering making use of this image. 
F. Has many of the good qualities of E with a bit more polish. 

The jury is still out on this one. Lots to think about here. (Most likely, my final decision will also involve another look at the cropping, as these were quickly cropped for the purposes of this post.)

Tell me: which one or ones is/are your favorite? Comment below -- Maybe you can help me decide what should end up on canvas! 
39 Comments
Clara
2/15/2024 03:34:15 am

I like B and E the best. He looks a little Puck-ish in B. :). And E has a beautiful genuine smile.

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:01:37 am

Yep- Puck-ish is definitely right. We loved E too- something more relaxed about him there! I am glad you liked.

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Joseph
2/15/2024 04:38:26 am

B! And you're spot on about the Rockwell feel!

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:02:46 am

I am glad you see the Rockwell there- yes, I definitely like that one for its All-American feel. Color scheme is almost leaning in that direction too.

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Julianna Kallas link
2/15/2024 04:55:20 am

I also like B and E the most. I like the impishness of me but if I had to pick one to paint it would be E.

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:03:51 am

I hear you- maybe the impishness is a bit too much for the painted portrait.

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Ame Enwright
2/15/2024 05:12:06 am

I like D.

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:04:42 am

The quiet version of Sebastian - not necessarily often seen in the wild.

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Anne Jernberg
2/15/2024 05:57:25 am

I like C for the beauty and authenticity of Sebastian’s face and the light background !

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:05:43 am

I agree- love the cheerfulness. I wonder if I might just have him look more directly at the viewer...

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Erzsi
2/15/2024 06:16:07 am

In my family's Lexicon, the terms 'boy' and 'formal portrait' are oil and water. Therefore, I am having trouble visualizing Sebastian in an indoor, Sunday best setting. In all these photos he has the "Are we done?" look, except D. On the other hand, I can imagine him in a less static pose, such as at a table working on a model airplane, ship or antique car, or in an armchair absorbed in his favorite book. Perhaps that pink bow tie could be replaced with one printed with a hint of his favorite hobby, sport or animal. D comes the closest to what I have in mind.

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Leila M. Lawler
2/15/2024 12:45:16 pm

I agree, Erzsi, about the "are we done" aspect!
As his grandmother, I will say he is highly intelligent and observant. I think D captures that, and the rarely seen relaxed expression is perhaps a portent of his mature self.

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:10:26 am

Yes- very rarely seen! We'll see if it is a portent of things to come- seems possible, though I won't necessarily say likely. ;)

John Folley
4/18/2024 06:07:41 am

Fair, fair. We might need Rosie T. to come in to assist with such photographic skills to capture these scenes for me to work from!

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Mark
2/15/2024 11:05:46 am

B,C,F

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:11:23 am

You like the Dark Blue background- me too. Pretty dramatic.

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Marybeth
2/15/2024 11:05:47 am

I love E
As a mom of two teenage boys now… that’s the feel of a formal portrait I’d have wanted of them at Sebastian’s age… if that makes sense! And I like no bow tie… it seems too formal in the others?

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:13:01 am

I like it too- his face seems more relaxed while still smiling. The thing that holds me up on this one is, as Rosie points out, it is inferior as a photograph and the contrasts aren't as effective as some of the others.

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Molly B.
2/15/2024 12:13:37 pm

My son John, who has met Sebastian, likes C the best - good light, he looks very happy and excited. I have to agree with him - I like the cooler-toned background with the pink tie, and the visible gap in his teeth - very boyish!

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:14:24 am

You make a good point- I do think that this one maybe shows Sebastian's individual features most effectively in a pleasing, joyful way.

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Susan
2/15/2024 01:33:20 pm

My vote goes to B and C -- while they're all charmers, the wistfulness in his face in B and the upturn of his face suffused with light in C just slay. Looking forward to see how you will capture your beautiful boy on canvas!

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:15:48 am

Hahha! I am so glad you are enjoying these two. Thank you! (slay- ha! :D )

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Pru
2/15/2024 02:07:44 pm

B & E

Love the personality that shines through in these two options.

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:16:57 am

hahah- I am glad Pru! I agree about the personality in these two- very Bashy.

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Wanda Rezac
2/15/2024 06:42:53 pm

I love B. I've never met your son, but this pose has a combination of impishness and sweetness that is very compelling. I also like that his shirt is a bit rumpled -- it lends a bit of realism to the shot.

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:17:52 am

Awwww, thank you Wanda. I do agree about the impishness - the wrinkled shirt would be a fun challenge too!

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Julie c
2/16/2024 06:43:36 am

I think either A or the one with his arms crossed. I would prefer lively children over boring ones every day. What a great kid!

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:18:51 am

Hahha- Bash is certainly lively - I am glad you like these ones.

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Rosie
2/16/2024 08:48:37 am

I completely love B as a photo of Bastian, but could understand that it might be a little more impish than you'd want in a formal portrait.
The light and contrast in E is not as good as F, but I like his pose better in E and love his face in both.
To me, D is out because you can't see his eyes (though I do love it), and C is quite winning (it looks like a picture-perfect school photo!), though to me it doesn't have quite as much of his personality in it.

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:21:15 am

I appreciate your thoughts on these Rosie! I think I agree with pretty much everything you say- I agree about D especially. I think it is a good image, but because we don't see his eyes, I think something would be lacking in making it into his portrait.

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Kathryn Burke link
2/16/2024 12:54:35 pm

B and F

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:21:52 am

The dark blues...

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John Paul
2/18/2024 01:03:09 pm

All are great shots, but I like D best. Even though we see much less of his bright eyes, the picture draws in the viewer to contemplate the subject absorbed in his own contemplation.

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:22:58 am

I like it too. I like it too. Maybe something more "universal boy" about it.

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Cara
2/18/2024 02:43:37 pm

I love D and E, with E being my favorite. He is so grown up since the last time I saw him!

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:24:12 am

It has been too long Cara! I hope you and Craig and your family are well- I love E too.

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Ellen Ugi link
3/2/2024 07:41:03 pm

I’m late to answer, for sure! I actually liked A at first, because he looks as though he’s just about ready to get into some mischief, but I like F as the permanent-memory formal portrait

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John Folley
4/18/2024 06:26:40 am

Hahah- I am late to reply to these good thoughts. I am going to blame it on the studio upheaval. I am glad you appreciate Sebastian's mischief Aunt Ellen. I do think there is something classic about F!

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kate
4/25/2025 08:19:29 pm

You've probably already painted it, but I like E

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    Author

    Hello there, I'm John H. Folley, an oil painter in the Boston School tradition. Thanks for visiting the Beauty Advocacy Blog, where it's my job to help you become a more discerning art appreciator.

    I believe that beauty is real and that art has standards, and I'm here to push back against the pretensions of the modern Art world.

    Here you'll find updates on my studio projects, commissioned paintings, illustration, and some of my art philosophy. You'll also hear occasionally from my wife and studio manager, artist Deirdre M. Folley. Peace!

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  • Fine Art
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