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Comment by Sandra kelly on January 15, 2012 at 0:46

Great painting I love how you have used minimal brush strocks  giving the painting a fresh look.

Regarding your refrence to Morgan Weistling I read an article a while back when he won an award for painting an old school class room, his attention to detail is full on . In the article it stated that he reconstructed the whole class room with students and teacher taking great care choosing his models and reconstruction of the classroom. The final painting was excellent .

Comment by Denise Maxwell on January 12, 2012 at 12:40

Again Wow, Paulo I do appreciate that you've offered up such great help here. I've spent my life starting and stopping with the sketch books can't seem to stick at those, but for the last several of years I've been doing my little notans and 2 value studies before each painting that seems to be the closest I get to on going use of a sketch book. I'm going full time at my art finally and will start carrying the sketch book around with me again. I'll check out your Morgan Weistling suggestion. Thanks again!

Comment by Paulo Ruvalcaba on January 12, 2012 at 12:05

Thanks both of you for your compliments!

Denise, a great place to start, if you haven't done so all ready, is having a Sketchbook.  Have several of different sizes for convenience and sketch any chance you get.  If you're waiting in line somewhere, waiting for your meal, at the post office, etc... these are perfect opportunities to quickly capture personalities and keep your hand-eye coordination in continual development. Some of my best sketches where done on a homemade sketchbook made from copymachine paper, three-hole punched, and inserted into a three ringed binder.

Your studies of the pear are great!  Approaching a portrait is no different.  The secret, if any is to Squint.  Squint to see SHAPES, VALUES, EDGES, and COLOR.

Find yourself a life drawing/painting class in your area.  And paint self portraits, the model is free!  Or do as I do, have friends and relatives sit for you. Practice painting from life and do little one hour studies of works by your favorite artists in monochrome or black and white.

If you're interested in instructional DVD's, Morgan Weistling covers this topic extremely well. Check out his "Painting for the Impatient" DVD, you can find it under the "Store" tab in his website: http://morganweistling.com

If you like books, find yourself a copy of Andrew Loomis "Drawing the Head and Hands", its very comprehensive and informative.  Tons of great exercises too.

Hope that helps! Keep reaching out and don't stop learning. Wish you the best and happy painting!

Comment by Denise Maxwell on January 12, 2012 at 10:14

Wow is right you're a Pro, beautiful work, just perused your blog. I want to start portrait painting any suggests as to where to start.

Comment by Richard Robinson on January 12, 2012 at 9:50

Wow - beautiful work!