[Peter Dransfield]

Originally Posted by Mischa Milosevic

Peter, but we want to be known as artists, didn't you know. We are in the 21st century, the age of tech. Where have you been?

It is strange to see, but understandable, that many "artists" of today think that they will save cash by cutting corners on professional training. Sure, we have self taught "artists" but many of the same dare not, for fear of exposure, do life sittings.

Someone has asked the question "when does one become a pro" answer (not word for word) "when you have painted 1000 portraits." To this I would add -from life-.

I remember when I first came on this forum. It was just about the time when I was faced with a commission which I was to execute from a photo a bad one at that. Boy, I was stumped! I had no idea what to do.

I was so used to working from life that this, bad photo, for a surprise portrait, was a BIG challenge for me. I had no idea how to use Photo Shop in order to manipulate photos to arrive at a good image to work from.

Time has passed, lessons learn't. Today, I happily get out to coffee shops, parks and where ever I find people sitting still and I draw. What bliss. One learns about shadows, bad lighting, tonal separation, speed and accuracy, and the list is endless. One gets recognition as well.

Many will wish to see what you are doing but don't be scared, if they like what they see give them your card.

Golfers also buy anything that is promised to improve their scores and sometimes it works but they don