Sunday Best...

[bethanyt]

... they were dressed in theirs, (I'm not boasting!)

First a 92 year old who led an amazing pioneering life in the bush getting timber out with her husband and 7 children.



Then a Maori (indigenous New Zealand) woman who lives locally.



As always, I am grateful to these patient people who volunteer to sit for us!

[saintlukesguild]

The more you exhibit the more I see how talented you are. These faces have inner character support that is on a path toward Rembrandtian. And this is all life work??!! Talent indeed.

[larubia]

Hi Bethany..have to echo StlukesGuild....great work!

[bethanyt]

Mr saintlukesguild, thank you for the high praise! I certainly don't feel worthy of such amazing comments- but I thank you for the encouragement.

Annemarie, you are kind to leave such positive words!

[jbart]

These are super good. You have the talent to capture the essence of the person so beautifully.

[bethanyt]

Jimmie, again you have made me smile with the compliments you have given, thank you so much!

[kevinwueste]

As you get more comfortable with painting from life, you will begin to see the structures that you are able to deduce more clearly in your work from references ( see your figure in FF). I want to be clear in saying that - it is not for the faint of heart to draw or paint from real, live humans - as they are living, breathing and in 3 dimensions that must be decoded to a 2 dimensional support (and then made sense of for the viewer!)! So much to do, but you can, and will - I can feel it!

These will benefit from continued drawing practice (in my opinion) and development of the structure of the head ( similar advice I give, well, to lots of folks but recently to BGnuffey).. Loomis, Vanderpoel and Bridgman are your allies! -Kevin

[bethanyt]

Kevin, there is much truth in what you say- and I appreciate the respect you show my work in your comments. I can see many faults with both the portraits from this Sunday- the structure is only one of them. I will make no excuses.
But I believe in posting even when they are not my best. I am here to learn- and they are -of the moment- in that place- of those people. I humbly submit my works!
I try not to compare my work to others- to be inspired by their work- yes, and do what I can do on the day! (Oops that sounded like an excuse!)
This is the most challenging artwork I do- no second chances, because if I make a mistake- there's no time to correct. This also makes it worth-while and the best learning experience (drawing without a net!)
I have painted a few portraits completely from life- but at the moment I don't have anyone to sit for me, for the hours required for a more finished portrait. I am planning one in the next couple of weeks, though.
I repeat- thank you for your structured and helpful comments!

[AndyfromVienna]

your work shows a lot of talent ... you are getting better and better ...

Andy

[bethanyt]

Thank you Andy - I do appreciate the interest in my drawings!