Anyway, today I thought Pat was beginning to look more like the Pat I see in the reference photo, so I invited her here to have a look and then sent it home with her. She's a painter, too, and I'm looking forward to listening to her critique and ideas to improve it. As we look at the painting, I know her right eye needs more work and I'll be taking the values lower on the left side of her face. Her left earring is too bright and a bunch of other areas need fixing, too. I'm sure you all can see additional flaws, only a few of which are camera-induced. So, what the heck, since she got to see it, I thought, you should, too. I hope everyone out there had a pleasant night's sleep!
I love seeing "work in progress" under your paintings. In Blogville, there are so few portrait painters and so many more who paint "table art" in a single session. A portrait is not done just like that--certainly none as fine as yours. This looks great. I'll say it again, you are inspirational to me who is just starting out and has miles to go to reach your level.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteWow! What fun watching your painters box video! Michele got me one, minus the wheels and handle, many years ago and I could certainly identify with your efforts to bring it to life. Sadly, I've seldom- almost never really-used it outdoors. It's a concentration issue. Painting outside came with too many distractions, including the occasional stranger coming by to chat or look over your shoulder. I liken it to how Michael Jordon could perform in front of huge screaming crowds. I'm no Michael Jordon! So much for plein air painting. My painters box will be used in our next home, in a spare corner of a room if we can't afford a studio space.
Linda, you have all the tools to be as great a portrait painter as you want to be. It all comes down to desire and perseverance. You have more talent in your little finger than I do, so you'll get to exactly where you want to be, but only you can define where that is.
Gee, that sure sounds cryptic and mysterious, but you know what I mean.
We're a lot alike, you and me. Retired, financially secure, able to do pretty-much whatever we want. We're both serious about our work, but still want to enjoy life. You have more fun with your art, while mine is more of a grind. A grind I'm happy to endure in order to make a portrait I'm proud to put my name on. You try all manner of materials and techniques, while I've been completely focused on oils for nearly twenty years. You draw all the time and everywhere, while I never do--at all. I guess we do have some differences, but we're both trying to get to the same place. Do you think we'll make it?
Have a good day and never stop.
Sincerely,
Gary.
Thank you so much for your considered reply. You are right. After years of doing architectural drawings for livelihood, the last three years I have been investigating what genre in the the fine arts really holds my interest--and what medium. Last year, I realized it was portraiture with its challenges. Heavily dependent on accurate measurement, it's very similar to architectural design--and there is only one suitable medium, oils. For relief, loose landscapes will do. No one cares if you didn't put the tree in the right spot. Focused at last, I will be concentrating on children this year--with the inevitable portrait of myself and my poor, reluctant spouse thrown in. I absolutely think we'll make it. You have already. By 2014, I hope I will too. I've made it a mission.
DeleteAs for using that easel outdoors? I would be surprised. I wanted my big easel back for larger work, so right now it's set up permanently in my studio for my self inflicted "Small Head Challenge." I doubt it's ever going to leave that space. I, too, am a loner when painting. If I do get an urge to go paint plein air, a beach bag filled with watercolor paraphernalia will do nicely just like it did in Mexico. I'd rather paint, than read by the sea--there's too much to see by the sea to bury your head in a book.
Happy painting Gary and thanks again for your observations. Sincerely, Linda