Great grandma by Marjorie Firth

She does look rather stern and a bit frightened. I put this down to the formal photography then, with the flash, and dressed in her best black satin dress. Circa 1910 I think.

Just what i was thinking, Maureen, she looks stern.

Coming along beautifully, she has a great demeanour about her, Victorian pose and dress all have a period feel to it. Might look good with a touch of sepia.

I wonder why they never smiled for a photo them days, but it's really good 😊

I've got a host of stern relatives as well maybe they were all born like that. It's a super portrait Marjorie. I think you should join A G and have a go at Sky portrait artist of the year...wow that would be a show with two of you in it.

You've got the. Era of this person so well described. The background works really well and I love the light on the dress fabric

That's really well done Marjorie, I'll look out for the finished item.

I’ve got a few photos like that, I think they had to sit perfectly still waiting for the camera bulb to flash....frozen in time. A lovely portrait, Marjorie. Beautifully done so far.

It’s looking terrific Marjorie, I love the way you have described her hair....you know, I think I say that about all your portraits, I must have a hair ‘thing’ going on! Lol.

This is very Victorian Marjorie well captured. Her dress is beautiful it has that taffeta sheen. I look forward to seeing this finished.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I wish I could have met ggma. She came to England, from Denmark, on her own, aged 15, to work as a maid. We visited her birthplace some years ago and saw the little school she went to, it's now a museum. It felt wonderful, knowing I was walking along the very street she did, on her way to school. Sylvia, I would be like a headless chicken if I did something like that!

Terrific portrait Marjorie. Looking good!

love the satin finish on her dress old photos always make me sad Marjorie but I do like your painting

Good portrait and great expression, Marjorie.

Very good portrait

It's looking very good indeed Marjorie

It is looking a bit mono on my screen Marjorie, however I know you will work on it and sort that out. A very well constructed work which has great potential.

Classical Marjorie

Well done - good idea to paint from old photos - it looks Victorian.

I've got a few photos like this and in every one there is nobody smiling! You have really caught the period feel Marjorie, really good work.

Looks as if this will be lovely, I like it especially the way you have painted the dress.

Well, it bodes well as it is already wonderful.