thanks Helen

Bethany I find the portrait groups a bit like an extended life drawing group, the subject sits for 20 minutes has a break and then sits down again. I get to a stage where I feel I’m just fiddling around and have decided that I’m better off starting another one, changing positions or changing mediums.

Because of the distance from the sitter, changes in movement and often light from windows I just regard them as ‘studies’, if they were serious portraits I’d really like another sitting, this way I have a non pressured or non-precious approach which I think helps me to be a bit more expressive.

I nearly always use oils, I used to work on stretched canvas and boards but I finish up with piles of these ! and so have recently taken to working on gessoed paper or loose canvas, and have the occasional stab with watercolour.

Mac

thanks for those analytical comments Harry

thanks Mary

Mamalynn thanks, it’s helpful and rewarding to know that others can get something out of these

thanks for the positive comments Loretta

Sandra thanks.

*Bethany some other thoughts about doing the two is that there are so few opportunities to paint live people, this way and I can actually get two chances:smug: and hopefully it is helping me to become more efficient and decisive.

Mac