From Life
 

I've been working really hard to paint more from life and loosen up my brushwork. Both of these portraits took 2 hours each. Here are my lovely models Valerie (first attempt) and Johanna (second attempt:

These are two lovely pieces. Very nice work, Natalie. I especially like the second one, your brushwork and the colors are very fresh. Keep posting!

Thanks Patty! Always nice to hear from you. Is your hand still doing better? I recall you had surgery a while ago.

Natalie,

These are both good, but number two is abolutely stunning! One knows instantly that those flesh tones were painted from life. Wonderful work!

Thanks, Julie. The second one is my favorite, too--I guess I just needed a little time to warm up! More practice ahead . . .

Good work Natalie! :thumbsup:

Natalie, these portraits are beautiful. I love the averted gaze and positioning of the heads as well as the color and brushwork. Do you hire your own live models or ask friends to sit for you?

Sara--Thank you!
Leah--I asked friends from my local church to pose for me. I also recently got my mother-in-law to pose for me while she visited from Utah. Pretty much anyone who is willing to sit still for 2 hours, I coerce into posing :) I've found it helps to give them a mirror to look into. That steadies their gaze, in addition to giving them a reference to make sure their expression or position doesn't change.

Congratulations on two very well done paintings, Natalie! I agree, number two is a stunner. I'll sit for your sometime if you make me look that pretty :)

Any time, Mara! I won't have to work very hard to make you look pretty as long as I stay true to life!