To
my way of thinking, the process through which a portrait moves
on its way to completion and final acceptance is very important.
To begin the process, I like to meet with my sitters at their
home or office, or in my studio, and talk informally about
the requirements of the painting and anything else of interest.
Later, in a studio setting, which could be a home or office,
the conversation is continued while I make a charcoal drawing
from life. I do not paint over the charcoal drawing. Its sole
purpose is to help me find what makes the sitter look the
way they do.
I work from life, sketches, slides and photographs.
After taking a series of photographs, which I use as an aid
to compose the painting, I stretch a canvas and begin the
actual life-size painting at the second sitting. The painting
develops over four to six sittings, each spaced at a mutually
convenient time from the last and each about two hours long.
Clients are often hesitant about spending valuable time having
their portraits painted; however, they usually find that the
sittings are pleasant respites. I enjoy talking about a variety
of subjects with my sitters and do not require that they sit
rigidly. I encourage movement and conversation. I enjoy my
work immensely and one of its great benefits to me has been
that I have met so many outstanding people with whom I have
maintained contact through the years.
Careful study and thought brings a painting to life.
I paint as long as I can hold the image of the sitter before
me, then I ask for another sitting.
Studio time is time for the sitter to relax and enjoy conversation.
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