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Originally Posted by Mary Smith
I don't know what has possessed me, but I have this really strong urge to paint her.
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Hooray! This means you're getting a Direct Message. Always pay attention to those.
You sitter has one of my favorite colorings to paint. She seems like she ought to be looking at the viewer directly. If you have some fans, could you blow her hair around, at least for a couple of shots?
Gung-ho, playful, non-anxious sitters are an awful lot of fun, especially if she trusts you. You will want to use this for your portfolio, of course, so if you have any formal wear see if you can get her to wear it. This includes jewlery, gloves (why not?), long scarves, etc. . Before the shoot, look at your favorite artists and copy their poses and lighting.
Beauty is all about self-marketing after the age of 30 or so. I've met very unattractive people who think they are beautiful and of course the exact opposite. Very interesting.
How much you flatter her is completely up to you. I personally have no ethical problem with this whatsoever, though some artists might. Taking off pounds is tricky; eliminating wrinkles and sags is easier. I used to draw people at fairs and after a string of lovely children it was an enormous jolt to look up and see a ravaged adult face sitting in front of me. But now I adore them.
I'm really looking forward to seeing some photos, Mary!