Quick sketch
 

A quick sketch in order to cheer up a disappointed clients.
She has three children, but I refused painting the little one as he is too young, could barely stand.
I will be painting the others full size, but I did this for her in the meantime.
Ilaria

Ilaria,

This is a really fine little painting. Just exquisite, and so directly and confidently rendered. I am so impressed.
I am curious as to why you refused to include the little one - in that, even though he may not be able to stand or even sit still, the fact that you captured him so beautifully - couldn't you work from several of these type sketches to include him in the composition? Just curious....

-David

David,

I have to paintt the brother and sister separately, and I think this little guy is too young to hold a canvas on his own.
It is very rare to see successful portraits of children around one year old. Many painters have painted their own babies, even newborns, but when it is your own child there are other things involved, feelings of tenderness and wonder. This commission involves a real portrait, that says something about the person and their relationship with me, and I can't do this with someone that does not hold my gaze.

I don't know these children at all, besides they really gave me a hard time as I took the photos. The next day I went there to sketch and they were a little easier but still quite confrontational. This will show in the paintings, I can't help it.

To be honest I was not particularly inspired by them, but this is the truth of the profession. I actually put off starting the bigger paintings because I still have not got a clear idea of how to make them interesting for me to paint.

In the case of this little painting I thought that the speed and freshness could be what ultimately appealed to a viewer. I tried to steal the scene to the boy with my painting.

It took me time to understand that I should not accept all the commissions blindly, but think carefully about the possible outcome. I am now only working toward building a solid portfolio, and I don't want to spend a long time on something I wouldn't want to show.
So there you are, trust me this is a good advice

Ilaria

Ilaria,
simple color, luscious brush and values that stand the test of standing back .........almost perfect ;)

Almost perfect? What would you do to better it, Allan?

There's a lovely continuity in the brush strokes and expression, Ilaria. A perfect example of knowing when to stop.

Thomasin

It should have been mine ;)

Ilaria,
I understand your point of vue about not painting very young children : it's something very challenging ... Your solution is very clever, and the sketch you painted is really beautiful, lively expression, and fresh colors. The small scale and the head and shoulders help too when the body language is too "baby" ( cute on pictures but horrible in a painting)
Maybe you can propose only this kind of sketch when you have clients who wants portraits of their very young children, I would buy one without hesitation !

Ilaria,

Such a wonderful painting! Your edges are so fluid, and light silvery and luminous as usual.

About not painting a formal portrait of him--I trust your judgment on this. It depends on the child, of course, but I've refused commissions for the same reason. I think the client should be very pleased with this little head, and will respect your reasons for hesitating. I'm pretty sure she will call you back when he's older.

Ilaria, this is a gorgeous little piece. I don't know whether you have yet parted with it, but in any case, I thhink it can be a HUGE marketing sample for you. Just my thought - keep it for 1-2 years as sample, and let her buy it at after that time, if she wants, for 50% of your current prices.

Thomasin, Allan :) Thank you!
I learned that I need to shorten my painting times and assess honestly, from time to time if in fact it could be left as it is.
I think this is easier in smaller paintings, while in bigger canvases it can only be achieved if one is really working on the whole of the painting at the same time.

Marina, I appreciate compliments coming from the master of toddlers, you surely understand the difficulties of those eyes lost in the void!

Alex, thanks. My client was slightly disappointed but she has understood, I hope I will be able to make her happy with the larger works.

Chris, I still have the painting, and am planning to keep it for a while. We have not discuss a price yet, so I can still bargain money for time.
I think it might go in a show that I am hopefully planning to have in the fall. I'll hang on to it as much as I can
Thank you

Ilaria

Ilaria,

I just LOVE that baby. The quality of the paint is as fresh as he is.

Ah! speeding up.To the swiftest goes the race. There is a paragraph about that in a wonderful book of portraiture that I have, called "2000 Years of Portraits". The book is out of print but it a good overview of portraiture through the millenniums. The author was pondering the fate of this subject in the 20th century. He remarked that to sitters in the past , it was almost entertainment as they had less distractions. They knew who the best portraitists were and were quite willing to sit. There were many of course that had time restraints, Washington was bored out of his gourd. He said that at the present, unfortunately, many of the prizes and commissions do go those who are the swifter painters, not the best ones. Sargent would do the heads over a dozen times or more until he nailed it. Who would dare to do that today.

It is very difficult indeed to obtain cooperation.
The sittings are disturbed, crammed between other appointments. It's the first question I get from terrified clients: will I have to sit ? What's so bad about it?
Also mothers keep asking if the child can pose in front of the TV. I found that children have a very good ability to sit still if not on the first time then in a future sitting.

My painting speed though can be improved not by hurrying, but considering the time spent on useless corrections, the ones that take away from the painting rather than adding, and that you end up regretting having ultimately overworked. I am trying to work on this.

Anyway thanks for commenting Sharon, I am looking forward to see some more work from you
Ilaria

Ilaria, this is a terrific painting, and I love the freshness of those high-key colors, perfect for a small child. Your direct and honest nature is reflected in your work and it is always a treat to see.

I read your posts here with great interest because the concept of speed in direct painting has become one of my own issues in working from life. It is MUCH different to work from a hired model than it is for a real-life client (especially children), The other problem of course is an expectation by many clients that a painting should or will look like a photograph.

Lately I've been studying painters like Laszlo who really capture portrait subjects in real-life time.

I do so admire what you are doing here, Ilaria!

Ilaria,

This is simply fabulous...a jewel. Even though it was painted to satisfy the impatience of the client, I'd be loath to let it go out of the studio too.

Much to learn from here--thanks for posting it.

Best--TE

Linda, I try and share ideas and thoughts that come up while painting. I am also lucky enough to be tutored by very good artists which often come up with profound critique and challenging tasks.

Thank you very much Tom, I really appreciate your compliments
Ilaria