My model for the class
 

I have been teaching a crew of retirees a class in oil portraits for most of this year. I will say, they are energetic and enthusiastic, but I fear I have so much in my head they got a bit stymied by me.

Although I really hate it, we worked way too much from photographs and my first ideas were to try to visualize from life. I got some great Styrofoam male wig heads, complete with ears, and painted them a neutral gray. Drove the class mad!!

So after three months and a lot of begging, I decided the last session would feature my good friend who is a Renaissance Faire participant.

We did a two week pose, with me mostly narrating as we painted. This is really the first three hours and a half hour of touching up at home from photos.

It was a great relief to just tear into a canvas and come out with a picture. I need to figure out how to get into more open studios. There is something so stifling about nothing but photos!

I couldn't agree more with you Debra - I am really starting to hate working from photos and am back at the Scottsdale school using the models. So refreshing! I also need to check out that open studio you tipped me about back in January.
I absolutely love your work and this painting is no exception - wonderful! And so is the Renaissance Faire. In fact, that would be a great place for you to sit and draw - or for me to bring a blob of clay and do some sketches/gestures.
But back to the painting - this really has presence and a fresh vibrant feel to it. Really spectacular I think.

Wow, this is fantastic. It has such a freshness to it that I'll bet you didn't get form yoru photos. Nice work.