Painting from the live model

In my opinion, there is no better way to develop and refine your painting than to paint from life. I spend a lot of time painting still life pieces and plein air sketches to learn more about color relationships.

I also attend a weekly portrait group that has been meeting for almost twenty years in the cafeteria of a repurposed elementary school. We have the same model for four weeks so it's possible to complete a fairly detailed painting over a month's time.

This piece was done in a two hour session and I touched it up at home using a cell phone photo.

9" x 12" oil on linen, Hope