Today's portrait study from live

[dustonpaper]

Hello all,

I had another model here with me today, a beautiful young woman.

Here is the result:

High Resolution: http://dustonpaper.smugmug.com/Art/P...b4Z7C&lb=1&s=O (loads slow, no need to click on it, just posting it in case the brushwork is to be scrutinized).

Close up:

High Resolution: http://dustonpaper.smugmug.com/Art/P...2fk56&lb=1&s=O

Working time was about 3 1/2 to 4 hours. It was a daylight setup and I found the shadows more complicated than the two artificial light setups I painted yesterday and last week.

I am very happy with the likeness this time. I asked the model after we finished if she does recognize herself and she said it was "creepy", which I took as a big compliment. Since the model can see the canvas in my webcam/monitor I recognized with all three models the "what the heck is he smearing around there" look. It is immensely pleasing if after the finish the model likes the result and hopefully does not feel the time was wasted. It never is waisted time for me to learn ... but I also want to make sure the model has a good time and feels comfortable and all. I think that is a thing a wannabe portrait painter should always keep in mind. With the model not feeling well I doubt good work can come out.

Since I'm at it and had daylight to make a photograph, here are all three portrait studies from last and this weekend in chronological order from left to right:


I am not sure if there is growth in the results, but no doubt I am learning a lot these days. I know I really should draw more in simple mediums, but I just cannot help it.
My main guide through learning to paint, apart from the masters at wetcanvas and a few books and videos, are usually quotes by the masters of times gone by that I admire and for now it is Rembrandt who said: "Try to put well in practice what you already know; and in so doing, you will in good time, discover the hidden things which you now inquire about. Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know." ... I hope good ole Rembrandt was right and I will get somewhere. Right now I am more happy than ever with my output, but I do know this is just the start of real learning.

C&C of course always very welcome.

[Josecs]

Excelent. Especially the last one. Yes i can see evolution. Congrat. Josecs

[berningc]

There's nothing like painting from life, is there!? Good job.

Carol

[bethanyt]

You are powering on with these! I suggest you get some different poses for your models to try. Do some 3/4 views and profiles, some from the other side of the face. It is interesting to get them to turn the body slightly as well. This will give some more to learn.

[carolkay]

Duston...your gaining greatly...!

[Mares Rex]

Showing much progress Duston! Your hard work is paying off.

[lovin art]

I like them too Duston VERY MUCH , your powering through them Like Beth said , but if I may suggest for what its worth and I think its worth alot here , try slowing done alittle also, take longer on a pose to obseve to draw and paint from it, you will learn heaps more and take more in from doing just that , IMHO .....

...but time is money I understand that also ...

[dustonpaper]

Thank you all so much for commenting. I am happy that you see some progress.

I will try to get another pose and/or lightning next weekend. My place is somewhat limited though. Need to think about the possibilities. So far composition and pose was way low on my priorities, more concentrating on the technical stuff of representing the human face. But I understand that if I pose my models all the same all the time that I might develop certain fixed ideas that will not be helpful when I paint a model in a different pose ?

Also, I found it important that the model had a screen to look at, in all three cases a webcam image from what I'm doing at my canvas. I want the model to be entertained somewhat. But that limits the pose too much.

For the weekend I'm thinking about working on a profile ... I will just see to keep the sitter entertained by talking about whatever comes to mind. Recently I have less problems talking while painting.

I can do a quite few more sittings before I'm pretty much broke and have to save up for a while again. There also is the option in my company of getting my holiday time changed into salary to hire some more models ... never get much chance to make holidays in my profession anyways .

The time without money for models I will do plein airs then and a few still lifes I guess.

I will probably not go back to work from photos, unless for some special reason I cannot think of right now. Cant stand it anymore, so boring.

[Mares Rex]

One way of keeping the model entertained is to put on an audiobook. There are many free audiobooks on the net. Or just play some good music of the model's choice. However, keeping the model entertained should never be more important than producing a good painting (obviously). Remember, you're paying them. They show up for work, not fun.

[dustonpaper]

Thank you Oliver ! An audiobook is an excellent idea !

And yes, they come here for money and I pay OK I think. The same they pay at the figure drawing group where I meet all my models. I thought that for the models the time is spent no matter if they sit for portrait or nude figure, so to pay the same is a fair thing. Thank you for reminding me.

I see the model payment as an investion in the future right now.
I hope to be one day good enough to do what many amateur photographers here in Germany do: they get models and give them the pictures after it ... I think they call it TfP (Time for Picture) ... just that I give the model the painting after the drying time. That way I would have models to paint from, which equals super fun time for me ... and the models will have a nice painting for their time. But I'm not doing good enough in my own judgement to expect people spending their time for a painting by me. But if I reached that goal I would be very happy.

I'm still thinking what pose to do this weekend ... I guess a full frontal and a profile might be a good choice.