320 sketches...

[Claudemir Bonfim]

I was hired to do life sketches at a classy Mall in the most important city in my Country. I worked for 11 days and did about 320 life sketches. I've just arrived back home and, you know, I wish I could do it all over again.
I wasn't allowed to take pictures, but some clients did, and if they arrive I'll post them here.
I'm happy to say that I got many compliments (specially from the French guys), and a good number of people are considering commissioning me to do other works.

[Laurel Alanna McBrine]

Congratulations! It must have been wonderful to do so much intensive drawing from life.

I am curious about how you got this opportunity. Can you also tell us more about your set up in the mall? What were the financial arrangements? Did you pay the mall a percentage or were you employed by them?

I hope you don't mind my questions. Perhaps some of us can duplicate your success.

I am looking forward to viewing some of your sketches!

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Congratulations! It must have been wonderful to do so much intensive drawing from life.

Thank you very much, and yes, it was a wonderful experience. I'm used to doing 8 or 10 life drawings on a sigle day, but on my first day at the Mall I did 55 life sketches, I couldn't believe it when the supervisor told me I had reached such figure.

I am curious about how you got this opportunity. Can you also tell us more about your set up in the mall? What were the financial arrangements? Did you pay the mall a percentage or were you employed by them?

The Mall hired an agency which searched for an artist who could do a fast a good life sketch. There are many guys who draw from life in big cities, but it takes most of them a long time to get a good likeness and the other ones who work faster don't get a likeness at all. So when they found me on the internet, they called me and immediately hired me for the 11-day period.
I got paid per day to do the sketches and I wasn't allowed to receive tips or anything like that. Some clients gave me chocolates (and I loved that!).
I wasn't allowed to hand out cards or flyers, but the Mall provided the clients with any information they wanted regarding me, I think they wanted to know if I was really doing a good job.
People told me they would suggest similar shows to other Malls, Department stores, etc.

I hope you don't mind my questions. Perhaps some of us can duplicate your success.

No, I don't mind. It is nice to interact with you. I like your work, specially the way you balance the cool and warm colors. And I surely hope that other guys will have such a wonderfull experience like mine.

I am looking forward to viewing some of your sketches!

Me too, mainly the sketch of a beautiful lady who was wearing a beret and a scarff. And I will surely post them here if they arrive.

I'll wait a little and then start visiting new places which could possibly hire me to something like that over again.

This Mall is considering hiring me to do a pastel or oil portrait from life of one of their vip customers (which might be a celebrity).

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Ps. I got very, very tired at the end of each day, but it was a really rewarding experience.

[Laurel Alanna McBrine]

Thank you, Claudemir!