How to paint from life fast.

Another busy week in the studio with little time to post. This is Ms. Sandra Laby a recent sitter from my Face of Ventura Project I was looking forward to paint.

So how does one do a quick head sketch of a sitter in around two hours you don't know and talk clever repartee at the same time?  I don't know. But one is on the spot regardless.

What I do know is the same dialog runs through my head each time I paint a sitter like this in a short time wanting to get something half decent and a likeness.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

SQUINT

GO FOR THE BIG SHAPES OF STRUCTURE, THE LIKENESS WILL FOLLOW.

LIGHT, SHADOW, HALFTONES. NAIL 'EM.

KEEP THE FLESH TONES MUTED SO YOU CAN ADD POP TOWARD THE END.

THANKS especially to Ms. Laby. She is a tremendous supporter of The Arts in Ventura, a dancer, and full of fun sassy energy to boot.

KEEP THE FLESH TONES MUTED SO YOU CAN ADD POP TOWARD THE END.