[William A. Baurle]

This Living Hand, by John Keats.

The only poem I can recite completely. My memory is swiss cheese.

The hand has to be empty.

[Sharon Passmore]

Thanks Ross, Paul and William.

Ross - The thing is - that black area isn't even begun yet. This is the meaning of the last image I posted - some of the image has lines through it indicating that I have not begun that area yet. Her bodice will all be shiny metal amour. I think her cape will be indigo, especially since my children requested that it not be red. Also, when you look at some of the images posted further back, and some look darker than others - that is just lighting.

Paul - Thank you. I hadn't thought of Joan of Arc but now she will be in my mind when I work on this. I can't wait to see it finished either.

William - Wow! Thank you - it was a thrill to read that.

[Sharon Passmore]

Thanks Seree, Steve and Wes,

Seree, sadly, there is not much I can do about changing the face now, I am attempting some small changes but this is sheets of wood veneer glued to the surface of my canvas. On top of that, I have worked on it with some colored pencil. The eyes have areas of glass beads applied. I wasn't fully happy with the face and recently I went at the mouth kind of vigorously with an eraser. Now it's a bit more subtle but... huge changes are just not possible at this point. There are some changes I wanted to make on her eyebrows too. We will see how it works out in the end.

Still thinking about the hand. I like the idea that she may be beckoning.

Steve, if something were to be in her hand, that would be a way better idea than what I was thinking about originally - all my first ideas were so cliche.

Wes, That is an interesting idea too and dust could slip through the fingers. I don't get your refrence but if you are asking if you can post in this forum - Yes! Please do!

[Holly Wess]

Yes. Leave the hand empty, but it would have a different effect if she looks out to the viewer. Lovely work