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It is very important to keep raising the bar no matter how difficult it is. It has never been easy to make really splendid works of art.
This is what its all about, Works of Art. In the end, the way to get there is unimportant. We are painters, first and foremost. Portraiture is secondary. I agree with the notion that a background of life drawing/painting is crucial. Its helps one to see color. After learning to do this, suddenly the world is full of color. Purples, greens, beautiful grays all jump around. The coolness of that shadow, the warmth of that light....as you stand waiting for your change, it is seen.
We need to learn to see, so that we can express that in paint, in our own language.
I paint from life when possible for my own use, but folks, I would never complete a commission from start to finish this way. Studies, fine.
Here's why: Language stops. I'm in that magical place called the right side of the brain where the last thing I want to do is speak. Then, my sitter falls asleep because of course, I'm not speaking. I prefer to struggle, to explore, to sigh, to mutter, to swear, on my own with no one there. It takes me a looooonng time to finish a portrait because I often agonize over my own expression. Not so much the technical aspects, but because I want it to be Real, I want it to breath as only Art can.
Trust me, I'm no expert at anything, but I have to be ME.
Thank you for seizing the day Sharon. I appreciate the fire.
I'm off to the wilds of the UP in MI with my sketchbook to see the world anew...
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