The model for the seniors.

[Debra Jones]

I have been teaching a class called Art Coach at a local Senior Center. I am avoiding a real hard core portrait class, because I did one last year and found these people are generally pretty good, but would rather work from photos than understand form, and they have less time than kids, so I just help make better paintings.

I like to do a demo every week for an hour and then we work on their problems. As an inspiration, I really wanted to show them how I work from life. It was a really odd experience with people sort of critiquing as I went! This woman worked for the Center and I approached it as sort of a narration, not a finished piece. BUT the model asked "How much?"

I was stymied. She was sinking fast. The other woman who was sketching her did a charcoal and took $17 (!) for it. I told her I would give her a deal this week and snapped a quick photo.

Hopefully she will appreciate that this is a real portrait. I will charge her half my regular rate, but I must say, I am pretty proud of a one hour from life and hour and half at home!