On with practising portraiture I've become increasingly interested in painting portraits and figures, especially after attending a workshop with Rogier Willems . To practice what I've learned, I needed models. I was delighted when a friend agreed to sit for me, so on a chilly October morning, we arranged a short live session. It's a great way to learn, and I’m grateful to Hettie for her time, patience, and the feedback she provided later in the process. When working with a live model, making quick decisions is essential, as no one can sit for you endlessly. I had to consider the setting, pose, lighting, and composition all at once. This is something I need to practice more. Now that this portrait study is finished, I realise I would probably choose a different composition. Initially, I did not plan to paint the hands, but I eventually decided to include one hand, and then changed my mind to include both. In the end, I didn't have a proper reference photograph for that....
It's where Valta sometimes posts stories about his paintings.