Have you ever heard of "Meetup.com"? I recommend checking it out if you haven't. No matter what your interest, you're likely to find a group there. Biking, hiking, knitting and of course, art, are just a few. I have belonged to the Sacramento Plein Air Painters Meetup group for awhile now, and I've enjoyed many outside painting sessions with friends and fellow artists as a result. Recently a new group was formed called "Sacramento Figure Drawing Group". I joined with the hope of finding more opportunities to paint models and portraits from life. Today I went to the first session I was able to make. This one was at the School of Light and Color, a place I've heard of many times, but have never visited. It was a good session with a very good model and many talented artists. I wish I could name them all...and I look forward to the time that I can, but I did meet Susan Sarback, owner of the School and very gifted painter, as well as Terry Muira, whose work I have long admired.
My effort today was OK, especially given that it's been six months since I've done a portrait / figure from life. Thinking about it, it's probably closer to a year, if the truth be told! The Model was really exceptional. I don't remember her name, unfortunately. I went through the regular self conscious jitters that I often feel when studio painting with others and this was magnified by the level of talent in the room, but I soon got lost in the challenge of painting from life. It's always a great experience...and often quite humbling. I look forward to next time.
Oil on stretched cotton canvas, acrylic primer.
16" x 20"
About 2 1/2 hours.
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