Aside from the questionable merit of permitting anonymous libel and verbal scourging, the undeniable character of such incivility is that it is dishonorable and unprofessional, which is why this forum doesn

Extremely well said, Steven.

Catch 22....
 

Hello,

I would so love to join this communtiy. I'm not painfully shy, because we all started sometime, but sadly I don't meet the '2 portraits from life' criteria, and it might take a while before I can join. I'm 61, quit work as a psychotherapist after an accident, and I've been learning to paint for 4 years, portraits for a year, as well as other paintings for shows. I was a commercial artist and designer years long ago. I entered and won my first art competition last weekend. I've been lurking here a year or even more.

On a small income as yet, and living rurally, I don't have access to models, so far. I have done two practise portraits from photos, and 5 days of live painting with David Kassan here in Australia, and incredibly, am on my second commission, paid at learning as I go. My clients were really happy with their commissioned portrait, and I am painting the second daughter now, trying both a classic style underpainting. and a more contemporary, to see which works best for me, and which they are happiest with..

I show my painting on other sites and solicit help with the process, and, this is far and away my favourite site. I can only watch and learn. I have Chris Saper's book, and I have done a class online of Mr. Whitaker's Paityn, which I did not finish due to commitments, and recently a class with Scott Bartner inside a forum.. I think I've got a knack for faces, and I really love the connection with my subjects through the paint, and so I'm working to become a really really proficient portraitist.

Two studies, one completed commission , 3/4 of the second commission done, all from photos, and one 3/4 finished live portrait! Sad story, I know. : ) I have some watercolour portraits in burnt umber from life, of my friends from some years ago

I suppose the quality of the work might count? So perhaps if there
was a screening process, I could show the board what I've done so far, and it could be that I fall into a category of 'barely acceptable'?

I took this poll as an opportunity to 'speak what's in me, even if my voice shakes....' because sometimes I actually dreamed or imagined writing to ask if the two portrait rule was at all flexible on my behalf.

Thanks for asking with this poll. I'm pleased to have a chance to say how I feel, and this is a request, not a demand, so I shall also understand if you must stay with your current criteria.

Annapurna McQueen [email protected]
Billinudgel, N.S.W.
Australia.

The Board did away with the "from life" requirement some time ago. Though learning to paint from life is highly encouraged. Many people who cannot find models do self-portraits.

Oh, that's such good news.
 

Thank you fo that Cynthia. I didn't realize. I began a self portrait and became discouraged by all the paint needed for the wrinkles! It's not a pretty picture. : ) I shall apply and see what happens. I would so much rather paint from life, and I may have a volunteer 'victim' soon. I have learned not to take any further commission unless I can make a drawing first. I cannot take a good enough photo that cuts out distortion yet and I trust my eyes much better.

Thanks again,

Annapurna McQueen

Long time lurker
 

I've too have attended but not particpated for many years mainly because there is no need for me to do so. The pleasure is in the viewing, discovering; when one goes to a mueseum, slowly walking, drinking in the colors and the textures then, ah there's that one, that makes me stop. I get that here on this forum.

So I see the need for a process for submission, I'm not however, in agreement with the current format and would probably never submit my own work as this is not my field.

I voted "other"
 

I'm not participating yet because while I like to paint I am interested very much in digital art and portraiture and am wondering if this is only a fine art society that may shun the digital medium or may not be interested in it.

Hi Cassie,

I can't speak about what is accepted at SOG, but I have to say I have the utmost respect for those of you who have managed to apply the priciples of good portraiture to your digital renditions. I have seen some awesome work out there and I admire the skill and especially the creativity!

I am curious as to why you would want more people to participate in the forum.

I ask this because when I see people who are at a lower skill level posting, they are quite often ignored or receive little response. Apparently you must reach a certain skill level to get a decent response to posts.

Why is this so? Is it because those of you have progressed beyond that skill level forget where you started?

If these people were juried in, then their work was deemed acceptable. Yet the lack of replies tell a different story.

So I wonder why you seek more participation.

We have ,over the years, tightened up the jurying process. Often many of the people who joined us in the inception have not improved, heeded our advice or taken advantage of the vast amounts of information available to them.

It takes a lot of our personal time- we do this gratis, to help someone. As our time is limited, we only help those we feel can benefit.

As the Forum has grown we have seen a greater increase in the level of professionals on this Forum. As this is not a generic chat room, that is the group we cater to, as this is a site dedicated to the professional portrait and figure painter.

We do jury in younger people and beginners, but only those we feel have the ability and a future in the business.

Many people erroneously feel, that all you have to do is learn how to copy a photo correctly and, voila! a portrait artist is born. Nothing could be further from the truth.