The farmer's wife by Grace McKee

A dignified portrait - you know this lady has worked hard all her life and is a strong character with determined views. I wouldn't like to cross her, either! Alla prima I see, but did you accomplish this in, literally, one session? As of course you know, alla prima can cover work done over two or three days - it's impressive anyway, but even more so if you just got the drawing on the canvas, applied the paint, and got to this level of finish in just one sitting.

Yes, it was a painting workshop taught by Dan Gerhartz. We had from 1:30 to 5 p.m. to start a fresh painting and finish it as there was a new model every session! I draw the basic head shape directly on the toned canvas with my paintbrush and dilute burnt sienna before starting the actual painting. The instructor did a fabulous demo of another model each morning and then we were let loose!

After commenting on this painting & The Green Scarf, When previously posted. I went to Daniel Gerhartz website http://www.danielgerhartz.com. You are quite right, his work is masterly! A much over-used phrase.