My first oil portrait

[David Draime]

Enzie, we do love the same subject matter. I love older people, especially from all the various cultures of the world. These faces have such a history that, I believe, can be captured in paint - but I'll have to admit, after the Buddhist nun and her ten thousand wrinkles, I can't wait to paint a youth with flawlessly smooth skin - I think it will be easy by comparison!

Yes, I am in your neck of the woods (Oceanside area). I actually saw you once, but missed the chance of meeting you.... at the SoCal ASOPA show in '03, I believe? I was lurking....I was, for a time, a member of SoCal ASOPA, but never could be very involved.

And thank you so much for your kind words.

Beth, well I'm glad someone likes my football player!! Seriously, thank you so much for your feedback. Means a lot.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

David,

I must have scared you that you didn't come to say hi

I would have loved to meet you in person. It would have been great to meet someone from my area, who's work I truly admire.

Now regarding wrinkle burn out! I can so relate... I am currently working on a girl from Pakistan, who has smooth skin, but is also wearing this beaded necklace, which is driving me crazy. Are you working on something new?

[David Draime]

Originally Posted by Enzie Shahmiri

Are you working on something new?

Well, I'm in the middle of copying a Bouguereau (what a test!), but what I really need to do is paint from life. As I've said, I'm really at the beginning of a very steep (and of course, endless) learning curve...I just need to slap some paint around and begin to figure out what paint can really do....I am so not fluent with this medium, and that's my goal. There is an atelier in Encinitas that I hear is very good, and I understand that certain nights of the week, you can just show up, pay a reasonable model's fee and paint from life. This summer I will avail myself of this.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Let me know how you like the atelier. I could use the open studio practice as well and would not mind the drive if the group is small. LAPAPA has a studio at Laguna Canyon Drive, which offers a similar set up. Only problem is that there are too many people competing for a decent spot.

Good luck with your Bouguereau, there is so much to be learned. If you get a chance go and see his newly cleaned painting at the Getty. It is well worth beating the traffic and spending a good day just observing. I don't mind going up one more time and if you like we can go together and take the toll road up (beat some of this horrendous traffic!). I can share with you what I have learned at Marvin's workshop regarding the use of B's palette. Marvin is right on with his observations and advise on how to go about achieving certain result. If you have not gone up yet, Email me and I bring my palette swatch and notes I took at the workshop.

[Chris Saper]

Oh, David, this just knocks my socks right off. What a really spectacular painting!

Congratulations!