Portrait painting is my daily job. But don´t think that everything always runs smoothly for me. It sometimes happens to me that a portrait fails. In the case of a commission it is a big problem. Of course over the years I have developed a routine wherein I, step by step, can detect a possible problem and fix it. Needless to say, that belongs to my profession. But sometimes it happens that I desperately wonder how to proceed when I find my self in deep trouble.
Once I was in such despair that I decided to destroy the portrait on my easel. Eventually I realized that that was ridiculous. After a while I decided to start over again the next day. I went into the garden to work and have some distraction. Then, when I came back in my studio, I saw the abortive work on the easel. As the painting already was screwed up I decided, I could just haphazardly do some muddling.
And what was the result? In fifteen minutes the portrait was back on track and after an hour it was finished! I was satisfied and later certainly the customer was.
What now is the essence of my story? (Evident of course): If you tend to get stuck do not despair but take distance and relax. The solution may be within reach, but you don´t see it because you’re so wired up.
Sheer willpower can sometimes be destructive!
Hi Ben,
I have your DVD, “Portrait of a Little Girl.” I had recently attended a sketch class with a well known art school in Seattle, Wa, “The Gage School of Fine Art.” Their techniques were quite different than yours, though it was a sketch class, ie: standing versus sitting, using a skewer – a long stick – for measuring proportions instead of sitting and outlining from a photo. I left that 6-week class more confused. The teacher was convinced his way was the best way, and I struggled with his pride and ego. I’ve decided to stay with your way and just view this and your other DVD’s almost daily in the morning before I start on my canvas. I am still wanting to make sure that I am doing the outlining on the canvas correctly for accuracy. I put the photo directly on the canvas and outline it with a red pencil, correct? Instead of holding a skewer at arms length and guessing the proportions as I stand a sketch.
Your thoughts.
Thank you.
Sandra