The Three Graces by Alan Stevens

I completely missed you posting this one. This is absolutely stunning; the semi silhouette of the middle girl and the touches of light on the models are just wonderful. You just get better and better.

It's OK Di, you didn't miss it, it's only just gone up. Kay - I've had this conversation before :) My models are all amateurs (friends and family). I can't get men to model for me - I have tried - and most of the women that model for me are young. They are slim because the larger women that I ask aren't confident with their bodies and say no. Law (on a different portfolio here) was not a "standard" shape but was completely comfortable with her appearance and was a joy to paint. I have painted three women over 50 but it was on commission and I don't post commissions. I take your point though and if I could I would.

Thanks Kay. No offence taken and I know none was intended. It's a valid point. Could I use you as a referee when I approach my plus size aquaintances?

This is turning into a forum thread (har!). You're right, but it applies to men too. It's just laziness on behalf of the advertising media. My favourite adverts on TV are for Dove. It's so refreshing to see all ages and shapes portrayed in a positive beautiful light. I would welcome the chance to paint them. I have so many ideas for men in my head but short of hiring a professional they will just stay ideas. I have a plus size woman 'teetering' at the moment. She wants to model but needs the confidence. It's a pity because modelling will give her the confidence. Chicken and egg time again.

I've got a slim cat on my easel at the moment. Sorry :( At least it's a male cat :)

That's a question I've asked Alan before as well and I really do see his point. I'm a "plus " size ( what a delightful phrase) and there's no way I'd have the confidence to model and I don't know a single man who would so you have to work with what t you get; usually students, proud of their looks and hoping to earn some money.

Fab painting Alan. yes you do seem to have a plethora of beautiful girls at your beck and call. Lucky old you. Professional models seem to come in more shapes and sizes. I once painted a Ginormous lady..she was wonderful. I also like flesh on ladies that appears with maturity, (have quite a lot myself) men have to have "good" bodies to model , nothing more boring than a flabby chap. No muscle definition...will now probably be drummed off this site foe being sexist.. Love your ladies..all of them.

I also can't afford pro.models. Very surprised your problem is the opposite to mine, I feel more comfortable working female forms but cannot persuade women (of any shape!) but completely strange men walk in off the street & volunteer . You want a male model - have you considered using a mirror? Love your work.

If I posed naked for you Alan, you wouldn't be able to paint for laughing! I really need to slim :-)

Thanks for the back-up Di :). Yes you are being sexist Sylvia. We old, flabby ill-defined men need love too :( and being that stops me from uncovering the mirrors in my house Jenny. Perhaps you and I ought to get together and do swapsies. James, perhaps you and I ought to get together as a warning to what could happen if you let yourself go! A public service health campaign?

Alan, I have been away for a few days and I have missed your fantastic latest work posted here. Your painting is truly amazing ! Painting one nude is difficult but x 3 is very daring. Congratulations on this performance. I see that there is a discussion about the size of your models. Frankly if I was to paint nudes (something that I have always wanted to do) I would only paint what is pleasing to the eyes. I would choose your models. I know that we are all made with different sizes in hight or waist but after all it is the artist who chooses what he or she wants to execute.

Thanks Beatrice. You know how much I appreciate your comments. I wish I had the freedom to choose my models (although I can't complain!). It's different body shapes and their challenges that keep me fresh and eager. Law with her magnificent hips was a real boost. I'll keep working on my larger ladies. You never know, if I catch them in a weak (or confident) moment...

Alan, you started summat here!! Looking again at your portrait, It's really clever how you have made the three girls skin tone slightly different with your clever use of shadow and light..thus making it so much more interesting to look at.

Well what can I say that hasn't already been said another masterpiece and a good discussion to go with it...I'm a mini me and would happily pose my 64 year old body for you with it's pot belly lack of waist and various battle scars that we women accumulated throughout our lives...I really do feel the nude is the basis of all art and at the risk of repeating myself within a month of starting a diploma course the nude is brought in for a term embarrassing at first but after a while just paper and charcoal and the hope for a good drawing...the models, usually students, keep themselves really fit not just for how they look but in order to keep up the demanding poses that were expected of them...we did once have a middle aged man which was a welcome sight he took a comfortable course and fell asleep so we had a long time with him not moving...true story...congratulations Alan your work just gets better and better

I love your work Alan! and would say that if I was ever to have a nude picture adorn one of my walls, it would have to be one of your pictures, I know that some men prefer a larger lady, but I wouldn't a picture of one of these larger ladies on my living room wall. Would give me nightmares, thinking 'that could be me' Arghhhh lol. I'd much rather have the inferiority complex that a young model with a firm, supple body would give me. Might give me the incentive to lose some more weight! lol xxx

Thanks Carole, Patsy and Jorja. The outside two use spray tan. The left hand one uses it a lot and is normally orange:) The middle one is a working mother and spends less time on herself. I tried to reflect the differences in skin colour. Not entirely successfully but the idea is there. On the subject of Plus Size Ladies. The mechanics of capturing a likeness is the same for larger/older people as it is for young, fit people. The only difference is that it is harder to come up with a pose that you think they'll be happy with. We all like to see ourselves in a good light. It's my responsibility to them to find that pose and make a decent job of the painting. They are all help me by posing. The least I can do is present them with a picture that they will be proud to show others. Thankfully I haven't had a negative response yet.