Beautiful at Any Age

I often hear from perspective clients their concern over what age they should be painted or should have been painted as if there is a perfect age for a portrait! "I should have been painted before I was 40!" more than one person has told me. Thank goodness not everyone feels that way. If given the chance, an artist can find what is beautiful or handsome about people at every age.

Recently a wonderfully dignified Lady came to me for a portrait. I'm not quite sure how old she is, but I would say near 80 or a bit more. An artist herself, she enjoyed the idea of seeing how I would interpret her in paint.

She arrived in a full length fur coat and a string of pearls about 6 feet long! Having experienced a good and interesting life, she, like most, has weathered its ups and downs. The most traumatic "down" was surviving a near fatal car accident more than 30 years ago. After lying in a coma for weeks from a serious head injury, she was left basically paralyzed on one side of her face. With a positive outlook on life and the knowledge of a second chance she impresses you with a combination of determination and elegance.

I am excited to know a person who has embraced her years of life lived, in large part, as one of the greatest assets of her beauty.

I hope I captured her just as I found her... beautiful. I am most thankful for another memorable encounter. It's a privilege to be a portrait painter.

NEW Bravura Brush Series from Silver Brush

www.silverbrush.com

Traveling with Photo Equipment

If you are like me and paint portraits, you keep trying to refine what you take along for a photo shoot. Although I LOVE natural light and use it when ever I can, sometimes I need an artificial source.

I settled on this set up several years ago. It is not perfect, but works well enough for me. All of these products are small and fit nicely in a carry on bag for airplane travel. Mine has flown thousands of miles (notice my beat up metal reflector--it acts like a barn door) and still works great.

Here is where to find the equipment:

The Light:

http://www.alienbees.com/b800.html

The Light Stand:

http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-Retractable-Lightstand-Anodized-3373/dp/B00009XV2E

The Umbrella:

http://www.amazon.com/Westcott-White-Satin-Umbrella-Removable/dp/B0000AQJD8/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267041494&sr=8-11

The Reflector:

http://www.amazon.com/LiteDisc-Reflector-Translucent-White-22-inch/dp/B00009VQEY/ref=pd_cp_e_2

Hands; What's the Point?

Artists have long enjoyed the addition of hands to any portrait and

suffered over the consequences! You’ve often heard that many

people judge the quality of the portrait by the quality of the hands.

Adding expression and personality, the addition of hands can greatly

increase interest and likeness to any portrait. The most important

factor in painting hands is capturing the gesture. Hands are as

characteristic of the sitter as their face, but usually the way a person

uses their hands expressively in the pose is more valuable than

the detail added to them. Clasping the hands together in a prayerful

pose creates a distinctly different feeling than does a fist with the

thumb hooked on a man’s belt. An artists wants to create hands in

a composition that are characteristic of the personality and pose of

the sitter. The study of hands should remain a lifelong pursuit. Take

time to do studies of hands whenever you can. This may be for a

commissioned portrait or for your own growth as an artist. John C.

Johnasen, one of Mr. Kinstler’s amazing teachers, had a passion for

painting hands. In his lifetime he completed hundreds of studies,

placing the hands of both men and women in most any pose and

lighting condition he could think of. He kept these as references for

future portraits. If he had a pose he was having difficulty with, he

would search back through old sketches for inspiration.

When painting the hands after understanding the gesture, structure

the hand in simple planes. See the top portion of the hand as one

plane, from the knuckles to the first bend of the fingers as the

second plane, and the first bend to the tip of the fingers as the third

plane. Keep in mind that the hand is structured very much like

a box. It has a top and sides. The fingers are structured similarly

in a planed, box-like fashion. Simplify hands where you can, but

you may find that the suggestion of veins in the top of the hand or

fingernails a valuable addition. 

Portrait Society of America 2010!  I will be demonstrating an approach to painting hands at this years annual conference.  For more information go to www.portraitsociety.org

Senator Byrd Celebrates 20,774 Days in Congress

Today Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia becomes the longest serving member of Congress in our nation's history.  With his combined 6 years in the House of Represenatives and his unprecedented 9 consecutive terms in the Senate, he now totals over 56 years of service.  

When he first came to Washington as a young Congressman from his home state (Jan. 3, 1953) Harry Truman was president and most Americans still looked to newspapers and the radio for their daily news.  

I had the great fortune and priviledge of painting his portrait for the U.S. Senate.  He is an amzaing man of dignity and charm and one of the most powerful intellects I have ever had the chance to encounter.  

My Palette after Life Sitting

A friend of mine suggested that I post a photo of my palette after my sitting yesterday. Boring or interesting...don't know????...but...here is a shot of the palette after 2 hours of painting a gentleman from life.

Painting Portraits: An Artist's Perspective Lecture Series

Painting Portraits: An Artist's Perspective
Tuesdays, Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10 and 17
3-4:30, p.m., Ezell Center, David Lipscomb University

Nashville, Tennessee
Cost: $50
Instructor: Michael Shane Neal, artist

I will be presenting a series of lectures on my work as an artist paintng portraits.  Each class will include a power point presentation as well as a behind the scenes look at some of my recent commissions. For more information contact the Lifelong Learning Office at 615-966-5733 or toll-free at 800-333-4358, ext. 5733 for a registration form.  You may also contact Patty Dugger at 615-966-5733 or toll-free at 800-333-4358, ext. 5733 or e-mailPatty.Dugger@lipscomb.edu.