Portrait 28

I like this portrait, it has an early morning atmosphere, atmosphere is a difficult thing to get right, for me at least, he would be a little strange if he read plastic bags, Ha, ha, I thought news paper straight away! Love that tiny touch of red on the bench at the back, well done! Glynis (Annie's Paintings)

Your pastel portraits are wonderful. Often pastel portraits are very photographic in look (nothing wrong with this of course) but yours are looser and very expressive. I like the use of a lot of white to cover the support colour and the glimpses of the darker colour through the white gives the work depth. Super work.

I agree with Glynis and Thea, Stunning portrait Duncan

Family are a complete curse - I painted a badger once; "nice Skunk", my evil nephew remarked, in passing. My advice is to kick the lad smartly: or if he's too big for that, tell him you've left something for the viewer to do. It's a fine portrait.

My word, you're all so kind! Thankyou. I don't know quite how or why it happens, but I get terrified after any length of a break, that I won't be able to draw anymore. I thought this was quite good under the circumstances (ie big son, fed up with sitting after about an hour looking at the sports page of the Leicester Mercury) and I am genuinely uplifted by your encouragement. I really try to 'keep loose', Thea, but it is quite difficult to avoid getting over fussy in the interests of achieving a likeness. So, on this occasion, I forbade myself the use of pastel pencils and resisted the temptation to do any blending.

Kind? Your portraits are lovely and fresh. I am correct in assuming your portraits are all from life (apart from the one you mentioned that wasn't)? You have made me think of getting out my soft pastels that I bought many years ago and had no idea what to do with. I hope pastels don't go "off". On a general note, and as I don't know where else to mention it, there are some fine painters on this website and it is inspiring to browse the galleries. It is very easy to become isolated or stuck in a rut.

Gudrun, do get your pastels out. I don't think they go off. My wife bought me a set of Unison soft pastels for christmas, and their versitilty and colour brilliance has been a revelation to me. I have always been happier drawing rather than painting, and a bit tentative with colour, . . so pastels have enabled me to move on from graphite and charcoal with confidence (and a lot of enjoyment !). Yes, my subjects have all sat for me (except the one), and I really like working from life. But, when sitting time is short , I take a photo or two so that I can continue to work on the painting after the subject has gone. This is pretty important for family portraits where getting a good likeness matters a lot. It's less important at my portrait class, when I am experimenting with technique etc..and just having fun. Pastels are wonderful!

Wow and wow. Absolutely fabulous!!! Note to self..less is more