Inside scoop on the studio scene

Young models relaxing between sittings

The other day I read the funniest advice on a professional portrait
painter's site. It talked about making wealthy clients feel
comfortable, by having your "rooms" and clothes tasteful and
as elegant as those the client is accustomed too.

I'm afraid this made me laugh. Some -- most -- of my clients
live in houses much more spacious and luxurious than my
semi-detached home.

Did I say that my living room and dining room have been
converted to a studio? The once pristine antique dining room table
is clotted with bits of acrylic paint, and even though I now cover
the table with cerelux plastic, the damage was done long ago.

I have a friend with an official studio and a still clean living
room and dining room, who talks about creeping acrylic.
This is a common problem in artists' homes. Despite every effort
to make sure the paint doesn't invade the rest of the house, it does.

My friend Pam in California taught me that you remove acrylic
with rubbing alcohol. Now and then when the mood hits I try to
get some of the marks off the floors and walls.

So far my clients seem to enjoy the informality of my setting.
They like the cats, the dog and the cookies. They don't mind the
family traipsing through from occasionally. Having your
portrait painted is a a daunting proposal. Running a relaxed
studio makes both sitters for commissions and paid models
happier. There's my tip.

Reading before the dance
acrylic on canvas
36" x 48"
For Sale
contact the artist at
the email address listed above this blog

Have a keeping the company happy day!

Paintings with juice

There is no magic formula in
painting, but you do need a bit of "juice'" zip, life, energy. I call that juice -- not to be confused with
alcohol. Some paintings work for an artist because they easily demonstrate all of the artist's favorite tools. This painting of one of my
best and constantly changing models,
Claudia, is such a portrait. It showcases what I feel is a most successful colour trio, turquoise, red and mid yellow.
The underneath ground is red, which
shows up embellished with purple,
pink, orange and blue in the pillows.
In some ways the painting is more
about shape and colour than anything
else. The skin colour pops because of
the black and dark blue, and the dark
colour heightens the punch of the skin
and the red, yellow and turquoise.
The figure is casual, relaxed
and elegant, painted in a free
loose style. She seems intelligent
and content. The whole painting has
the festive, joyful air I like in my life
and like to create for others.

If you paint, try the basic three -- red, yellow and
blue -- Robert Genn would say and add grey. In
this case, the mauve functions as a hot, vibrant grey.
http://www.painterskeys.com/

Have a vibrant evening.