Tom, you are to me the complete portrait pro, and I always treasure your compliments, thank you!

Richard, I really appreciate your kind support and I'd love to see you at an open studio session one of these days.

Terri, if I could paint those elegantly subtle transitions found in your paintings, I wouldn't be splashing all this paint around.

Patricia, you have such a fine and sensitive eye in your own work - thank you for your post.

Linda oh Linda - I am speechless! That is simply gorgeous! Her LIPS!

Can you share what sort of palette & set-up you take with you to open studio?

Oh wow - this is gorgeous!!

3 hours. I hate you. ;)

I second that. It's not fair - I couldn't do that in 30 hours. This is SOooo good.

Exceptional!! ;)

David

Linda, is such a joy to see your work, and what work!
And this is so...you, lips included!
I am most of all speechles for your speed: if you'd see where I am after three hours! I'd have barely filled in the biggest areas, I think!
Looking forward to see the other work

xxx
Ilaria

I third that! O no dear Linda, I don't mean I hate you, I mean this is a gorgeous accomplishment. The transitions are wonderful. Congratulations!

Garth

Spectacular!!!
 

I was afforded the luxury of seeing this in person today and it IS absolutely beautiful!!! Sure do wish I could do one as beautiful as this in 3 hours. Thanks, Linda.

Cindy, Kim, David, Ilaria, Garth and Carol, you are such good painters, I'm honored to get these compliments.

About the three hour session... well, the idea is to get both speed and accuracy, you don't really get brownie points for speed itself. When I paint I concentrate on getting the values and the facial planes down, and then I start placing features. People always move slightly and I try to leave them a little wiggle room for as long as I can. I can't get very much really subtle work done in three hours, other than soften some edges, so I do things like bring huge brushes and wipe the canvas with a rag, etc. .

Cindy, are you asking me about color or about the actual palette I hold?

This might just be the very best open studio portrait I have ever seen!

Linda, you are Awesome! x 10

I can see your inspiration as you were presented with this challenge. It seems to me that You love a good challenge. Understanding the basic principles of painting and using them is the foundation, as you so nicely pointed out. After that it is to match the shapes and hue at proper value. You have done all that and wallah! A wonderful luscious portrait study.

Linda, thank you for reminding me and sharing with us!