Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post

08-24-2007, 04:03 AM

Hello,

I would so love to join this communtiy. I'm not painfully shy, because we all started sometime, but sadly I don't meet the '2 portraits from life' criteria, and it might take a while before I can join. I'm 61, quit work as a psychotherapist after an accident, and I've been learning to paint for 4 years, portraits for a year, as well as other paintings for shows. I was a commercial artist and designer years long ago. I entered and won my first art competition last weekend. I've been lurking here a year or even more.

On a small income as yet, and living rurally, I don't have access to models, so far. I have done two practise portraits from photos, and 5 days of live painting with David Kassan here in Australia, and incredibly, am on my second commission, paid at learning as I go. My clients were really happy with their commissioned portrait, and I am painting the second daughter now, trying both a classic style underpainting. and a more contemporary, to see which works best for me, and which they are happiest with..

I show my painting on other sites and solicit help with the process, and, this is far and away my favourite site. I can only watch and learn. I have Chris Saper's book, and I have done a class online of Mr. Whitaker's Paityn, which I did not finish due to commitments, and recently a class with Scott Bartner inside a forum.. I think I've got a knack for faces, and I really love the connection with my subjects through the paint, and so I'm working to become a really really proficient portraitist.

Two studies, one completed commission , 3/4 of the second commission done, all from photos, and one 3/4 finished live portrait! Sad story, I know. : ) I have some watercolour portraits in burnt umber from life, of my friends from some years ago

I suppose the quality of the work might count? So perhaps if there
was a screening process, I could show the board what I've done so far, and it could be that I fall into a category of 'barely acceptable'?

I took this poll as an opportunity to 'speak what's in me, even if my voice shakes....' because sometimes I actually dreamed or imagined writing to ask if the two portrait rule was at all flexible on my behalf.

Thanks for asking with this poll. I'm pleased to have a chance to say how I feel, and this is a request, not a demand, so I shall also understand if you must stay with your current criteria.

Annapurna McQueen [email protected]
Billinudgel, N.S.W.
Australia.

08-24-2007, 04:03 AM	#143
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Catch 22.... Hello, I would so love to join this communtiy. I'm not painfully shy, because we all started sometime, but sadly I don't meet the '2 portraits from life' criteria, and it might take a while before I can join. I'm 61, quit work as a psychotherapist after an accident, and I've been learning to paint for 4 years, portraits for a year, as well as other paintings for shows. I was a commercial artist and designer years long ago. I entered and won my first art competition last weekend. I've been lurking here a year or even more. On a small income as yet, and living rurally, I don't have access to models, so far. I have done two practise portraits from photos, and 5 days of live painting with David Kassan here in Australia, and incredibly, am on my second commission, paid at learning as I go. My clients were really happy with their commissioned portrait, and I am painting the second daughter now, trying both a classic style underpainting. and a more contemporary, to see which works best for me, and which they are happiest with.. I show my painting on other sites and solicit help with the process, and, this is far and away my favourite site. I can only watch and learn. I have Chris Saper's book, and I have done a class online of Mr. Whitaker's Paityn, which I did not finish due to commitments, and recently a class with Scott Bartner inside a forum.. I think I've got a knack for faces, and I really love the connection with my subjects through the paint, and so I'm working to become a really really proficient portraitist. Two studies, one completed commission , 3/4 of the second commission done, all from photos, and one 3/4 finished live portrait! Sad story, I know. : ) I have some watercolour portraits in burnt umber from life, of my friends from some years ago I suppose the quality of the work might count? So perhaps if there was a screening process, I could show the board what I've done so far, and it could be that I fall into a category of 'barely acceptable'? I took this poll as an opportunity to 'speak what's in me, even if my voice shakes....' because sometimes I actually dreamed or imagined writing to ask if the two portrait rule was at all flexible on my behalf. Thanks for asking with this poll. I'm pleased to have a chance to say how I feel, and this is a request, not a demand, so I shall also understand if you must stay with your current criteria. Annapurna McQueen [email protected] Billinudgel, N.S.W. Australia.