Just so you know where I am in this life and/or photo reference debate, I have to say here that I have done very few commissioned oil portraits without using photos. Someday I hope to find the time and the clientele who will sit for me for the time it will take to develop an oil painting with the degree of finish and the level of likeness that will satisfy all parties. (Plus, I had better pick up more talent at doing this somewhere along the line.)
When I was talking about life and wetness, I was thinking that most photographs don't seem to pick up the subtle moisture and reflections of living surfaces, human skin in particular. I think this comes across better when observed in person. I'm looking at the Nelson Shanks portrait on the cover of the recent Artists magazine as I type this; I don't know whether he painted this woman from life or from photos but that skin just pulses with life.
Jeff, there's an old post of Peggy's in which she discusses movement in her portraits. I think it's a portrait of a little boy standing up. If I have time tomorrow I'll search around for it, it's an interesting discussion.
Allan and Sharon, you've given me a lot to think about, and thank you. I like the idea of tension between two points.
Sharon, you can be Dr. Frankenstein, but can I then be Igor? Or was he the goof-off who came back with the wrong brain?
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