Two paintings

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Hi to everyone.
These are two paintings done in my school's open studio program, they are the outcome of a few sittings, not only one, but I think they reflect that open studio atmosphere.

What disturbs me and excites me about painting open studio models are what they are wearing. They are always in the most dirty t-shirt or with eccentric outfits, at least here in London. The result is that potential client that want to view your painting 'outside' can never really identify themselves and see how they would look.

At the same time the feedback from the tutor and from fellow painter is so important that it is always worth spending a couple of mornings painting live.
Ilaria

[Linda Brandon]

Hi Ilaria,

I like these very much. I would personally be proud to put the woman's portrait in particular in my portfolio to show prospective clients. You've really captured her glamour on this one.

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Ilaria, these are very well done. I like the man's portrait as a whole because of it's composition, it fills the canvas nicely. I like the way the outfit is handled on the woman, especially the highlights. I agree with Linda about the woman's portrait better suited to show clients. Good luck.

[Sharon Knettell]

Ilaria,

These two paintings are really good, especially for something done in a group. The man's painting is well designed for the space and I like the wonderful attention to the color in his skin-tone.

Portrait portfolio paintings are not grab shots. They have to be considered carefully as they will affect the work that you get. London has some interesting figurative painters and portrait artists. You could go with the more traditional, edgy or continue the unique personal style that you seem to be developing.

Some of the edgier artists like the American Jack Beal get important commissions and so does someone more traditional like Kinstler.

If you want to paint elegant ladies, you have to make arrangements to be able to paint them in a manner to achieve a suitable result. This means you have to pay attention to the most flattering lighting, their wardrobe, pleasing composition and further elegant touches. This can only be done if you control all the parameters, which cannot be done in an open studio setting. Sargent's Madame X was the ultimate portfolio piece. He received no monies for that. This goes for any result you may want to achieve, edgy, colorful, out-there, whatever.

You personally, and unfortunately have to do this out of your own pocket to make the paintings as beautiful as possible and express more completely your point of view. This may seem a like terrible burden, but I sold one of my samples and another is being considered. I was happy with both of those pictures as paintings as I did not have to consider the wishes of anybody else, which I am always loathe to do anyway.

I hope this helps.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Dear Sharon,

I really appreciate this post. I am entering a new period in my artistic life: up to now I always undertook children's commissions, which in my case was a shortcut. I do have a lot of connections, and children are a rather easy market.

I started out with pencils, naturally evolved into oil paint; since I arrived in London five years ago I went regularly to the open studio and there was seldom a day when I did not paint.

All of a sudden now I can see that the progress I made now would allow me a more serious approach to this job. My first goal now should be, I think, to make some decision about my style. In two weeks time I have my first session in a new tutoring program at Heatherley's, my art school. They specialize in portrait and I hope they can help me with clear indications on pursuing a particular type of client, and insisting on one of my edgy, or colorful, or whatever experiments I have been painting until now.

I am sure elegant ladies won't be my thing, as I never manage to achieve that glamorous look. I am interested always in children and teenagers, and I would like to work more on groups, like families or couples.

Your message is really a wise encouragement, thank you very much for sparing the time.

Ilaria

Linda, Jimmy, thanks for your comments, I am bringing these paintings, that differ so much between them, to my appointment with the tutor,and then start again frm there.
I.