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Russell Edwards

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I didn't say they were Peter
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Paul (Dixie) Dean

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At the end of the day as they say it doesn’t matter how you actually achieve the look with or without a grid if the portrait looks good it looks old because everything is where it should be and is proportionately accurate. Superb results are achieved from different way of working, when I look at portrait I immediately like it or think it’s superb I don’t even think about how it was achieved I just admire the skill of the artist , then think I wish I could do something like that . I suppose there is no right way or wrong way just whatever you need to achieve your goal. 

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by Paul (Dixie) Dean

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Marjorie Firth

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Exactly Paul - you are a diplomat!😁

Denise Cat

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I'm definitely for whatever methods suit you best whatever they are. The crucial factor as already mentioned is observational skills and plenty of practice. Two key important elements.
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Carol .

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Dixie and Denise, your words make perfect sense. I admire many artists that doesn't mean I want to paint like them, just learn different techniques of putting down paint to achieve a pleasing image (if possible)
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Peter Smith

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It occurred to me that 150 years ago all those great artists we so admire weren't drawing grids on photographs! They had to work fairly quickly because their human models would get tired, especially the children.
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John Graham Inkson

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Art today is exceedingly diverse. The point is the sort of art you do gives you pleasure, and satisfaction. Also there are many categories of art of which we all can fit into, the choice is enormous. So you could say art is how it makes you feel not how technical perfect one thinks it has to be. Lastly it is the artist choice to choose the equipment or technology they need to make their art. Embrace it all is my point of view.

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Norrette Moore

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It occurred to me that 150 years ago all those great artists we so admire weren't drawing grids on photographs! They had to work fairly quickly because their human models would get tired, especially the children.
Peter Smith on 09/06/2026 07:13:36
That's true, Peter.  But what's equally true, is we don't have photograph to compare the portrait against, for likeness. I think some of those Royal portraits made in pre photo times, are somewhat varied.
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Peter Smith

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True - if the artist wanted to be paid he had to flatter the sitter!
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