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I draw from life 99% of the time, and prefer it that way. But how many artists find a customer who will pose for an oil portrait? If you pay a model, that is one thing. But my customers are never willing to pose for an oil. They would rather I use photos, either theirs or mine. In the old days, there was not much choice in the matter. But today, the average portrait consumer does not have the time or inclination to pose for an extended oil sitting.
I am not in the position to dictate to customers that they pose. You cannot be certain that a person would make a good live model anyway.
I am not sure that I would prefer oil painting from life even if I did get the opportunities. Drawing from life can be frustrating enough. Perhaps it would make me a better oil painter to work from life more often just for myself. But who has the time?
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