Quick portrait of Aidan

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Comment by Michael Lang on March 26, 2014 at 6:43

Cristina, Michael, Colleen, Silvana and Linda, thank you all so much.

Silvana, yes, good question! The main reason I paint in 2 hours is that that's the time available in the life session.  In addition, I find that it is quite liberating in a funny way to be constrained - other than a little brain  time spent at the beginning working out the cropping, the value structure and colour harmony, the rest of the time I'm more or less forced to work instinctively (hopefully that instinct being based on my experience and knowledge gained so far). Also, with little time I cannot get bogged down by detail, it helps me to see the bigger picture - that's the theory at least! In addition I've noticed that with a longer time, I don't necessarily produce a 'better' picture.Finally (!)  I treat most of my painting as a learning opportunity and I believe that the learning is more in the earlier stages rather than in the adding of a lot of detail (which personally I am not too keen on, preferring to leave much to the viewer's imagination). Hope that helps.

Comment by Linda McNeill on March 21, 2014 at 20:36

This is very loose. I ve started a portrait in oils class, finding it a challenge!

Comment by Silvana M Albano on March 21, 2014 at 13:34

Wow Michael! You are really painting portraits excellently! But I've got a question... may I ask why you must have a time limit? What is the rush?

Comment by Colleen McCafferty on March 21, 2014 at 10:27

Excellent Michael!  Looks like so much energy in the large brush strokes.  I also envy someone who can paint portraits.

Comment by Michael J. Severin on March 21, 2014 at 9:22

I so admire you portrait painters!!  ...very nice Michael. :))

Comment by Cristina Mihailescu on March 21, 2014 at 5:53

 Cool, the brushwork and color is great and I also like the abstract look!