Jimmy, I know this is off topic but I just wanted to comment on this phrase in your last post.

I have such a great admiration for your determination, tenacity and self discipline. No one should ever use the excuse that they "don't have time to paint" or are "too busy" to improve their skills, once they read that phrase.

I know, Jimmy, that you have a wife, a young daughter and a full time job. Yet you make the time to devote to your artwork. Makes me want to renew my efforts to use every hour of my week more effectively, too.

I agree wholeheartedly with Kim. We had this conversation many times with our Art guild. I have to admit I was surprised at all the different ways folks use to transfer images onto the canvas described here. I was taught first by my mother and she used her eye, the end of her brush and her thumb and that's the school that I come from. Granted, my paintings don't compare to the work represented here. But I also am of the belief that it is the journey that matters, and not the destination. I find satisfaction if I can finally look at something either from life or a photo and coordinate my mind and my hand to place those lines, color and forms onto the canvas accurately. I don't always as some of you already know, but sometimes I do and there is great satisfaction in that. Along the way, as Kim also mentioned, there's a little bit of life, movement, and character that gets transfered too.

For the last three years I have found that plein air painting has helped my portrait painting because not only do I have to work quickly, but I have learned to see color and light in a different way-a way that photographs do not record. Its helped me tremendously.

Dianne

I agree..
 

Hello, I agree 100%. To my surprise I am not the only one working on paintings at wee hours! Whenever I have a project that I need to accomplish I work at midnight 2:00 am to 5:00 am as I work full time job and as a housewife I can not get "uninterrupted" time for my painting work.

Michele Rushworth, I am really impressed with details and expressions in your work. I am trying to achieve more perfection in my work, you have inspired me. Thanks.

I am going to submit more of my work for friendly critical suggestions.
Meera Bakshi

Since I'm the guy who started this post, I thought I'd put in another couple of cents worth.

I agree with almost everything said here, especially that we should all work from life when possible.

To that end, I have begun going to my local library (we live in a wee town in OK) where I con nice little lkids (from age 10 and up) to sit for me for a few minutes. I do a quick "life" sketch of them, and give them the sketch when I'm finished. I've had mom's with kids in tow waiting for me on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons when I get there.

I will also do parents of the children if they will sit for me.

The point is, I have found a way to satisfy my need and desire to work from life a couple of times a week, and, as a result, when I find a cute or interesting head, I snap a picture of him or her, and turn it into a little 12X16 oil sketch which is hung is the library. I call the series "library kids."

But back to the original thought behind this thread, it has been great reading all the different ways poeple find to get from this point (sketch/photo/whatever) to the canvas.

Good inspiring idea.
 

Hello Richard Budig,

Thanks for the inspiring idea.

Meera Bakshi

Richard,
What a great idea! Could you post some of your library sketches? I would love to see them!

Patricia:

I would like to post some, here, but . . .

First, I don't yet know how to upload. Don't know how set up my computer for the proper pixel setting. I'm an old guy. I pre-date computers. I was one of those who actually thought this computer curse would go away one day. HA! I have read through some of the posting instructions, here, but the part about setting my pixels is beyond me. I'll bet it's easy, but not until you've done it a time or two.

Second, I give the sketches to the kids for being my "victims." I do the sketches quickly -- usually 3 to 5 minutes each. Usually near the end of the sitting, I remark to the kid, "Sitting still is a lot harder than you thgoutht, isn't it?" They always say yes.

I highly recommend doing this, or something like it, for anyone who does not have the resources to hire models. But, as I said, you have to be quick, and you will find that you must limit the lower ages to about 10. Twelve is better, and occasionally, you will find an eight year old who can sit still for three minutes, but not often.

Still, it is very good training. Knowing the little beggers can't sit that long forces you to get on with it and not to niggle it to death. Sometimes, my work is bang on, and sometimes, I'm almost ashamed to hand it over. But, I tell them that is a QUICK sketch, and that's all it is. I'll often invite them to come back as often as they like, and some do come back for several sittings -- and new sketches, of course.

Some parents ask why I do this, and I tell them, honestly, that it saves me having hire models. They get a chuckle out of it, and many say they're glad to have the sketch. Many tell me they have them framed.

But, bottom line is, I give them away, so I have none to share, but thanks for asking.

I liked the Library idea very much Richard.
Maybe I'll start visiting places like this not only to do researches, but to have a different fun time.

Claudemir:

I think you'll enjoy it. I would get in touch with the library's director/manager and explain what you have in mind. I think one of the things that swung it for me was that I made it clear that I was going to GIVE the sketches to the kids, and there they were FREE.

In fact, I made a plain little sign on my computer that says something likd: FREE -- Pencil Sketches -- Mini Portraits -- something like that.

I also made (I'm cheap, you understand) something that looks like one of the life drawing class donkey things that you can sit or stand at to draw. I take it with me, open it, and place a chair in the middle of the room.

I have an age limit of 12, which I sometimes ignore if the child seems like he or she can sit still (not often, sadly). El;even to twelve seems to be the youngest who can manage to sit for three to five minutes. Also, I'll often shoo away buddies/girlfriends who want to sit and make the "victim" laugh, which, of course, won't work very well for you. If you're tactful, you can get them to go read a book for a few minutes.

I go twice a week, tuesday and thursday, from around 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., but that's up to you an the local library boss.

If you keep the sessions short, the kids will have fun, and you'll get to do up to half a dozen or more for your two to three hour stay.

It really will help your eye/hand thing, too.

Thanks Richard for those tips, I really enjoy working from life, I just don't have as much free time as I wanted to do such nice activities like this.