Portrait workshop
 

I took a 3 day portrait workshop this May with Mary Minifie. She was wonderful. This is the painting I did over that weekend. It was so refreshing to work from a model and not to have to rely on a photo. Any comments?

Hi Mary,

I like the skin tone nuances you have incorporated. Subtle variations in those cool and warm tones....very nice.

Did Mary emphasize color? Just curious. I love hearing from other artists about their workshop experiences.

Hi Julie,

Mary emphasized establishing the large forms and color relationships right from the outset. She works in the tradition of the Boston school which retains the academic tradition of drawing but uses full observation of natural light and color as influenced by the impressionists. She pushed me to put down the colors that I saw from the outset, even when I was still trying to establish the drawing and likeness of the model.

I wish these colors here were even richer in depth, but I find it difficult to get full bodied color in a short period of time. I don't want to try to continue as I do not have the model available, so it is what it is at this point.

But I can definitely say that Mary's workshop was among the best and most helpful that I have taken. She was wonderful.