Children's portraits from life

Michael Georges · 07-31-2008, 03:59 PM

YAY! Christy, you seem to be a natural talent at this - that's really impressive for just 10 minutes!

Christy Talbott · 07-31-2008, 04:16 PM

Michael, that's just how long Lilah sat still, or close to still. She sat a little while longer, but was moving around a bit. Then I fiddled with it for a while after, so the whole thing took longer, probably 25 minutes I'd guess.

I'm thinking of using audio stories to keep the children entertained while I work. That would work well, I'd think, for the older children anyway.

Patricia Joyce · 07-31-2008, 08:04 PM

Wow, a great drawing Christy!

Michele Rushworth · 07-31-2008, 09:17 PM

I've seen artists set up a portabe DVD player behind their shoulder while painting kids from life. The kids watch a video while the artist paints. Keeps them mostly in the same spot. Perhaps you could pause the movie once in a while and ask them to look right at you for a few minutes while you paint their eyes.

Mischa Milosevic · 08-01-2008, 09:55 AM

Christy, this is what I recommend an artist needs to do to prepare for such challenge.

Get teen models, if you can, being a teen has a smooth face, and do multiple five minute scetches'. Do many of them. Do as many as it would take in order to minimize and solve issues that can arise when doing small children. Limit your self to half hour five minute spurts in which time you need to get all the essential. As you practice this method you will see what you need to better understand in order to get a perfect likeness and or character.

Try it.

All the best

Linda Brandon · 08-01-2008, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

I've seen artists set up a portabe DVD player behind their shoulder while painting kids from life. The kids watch a video while the artist paints. Keeps them mostly in the same spot. Perhaps you could pause the movie once in a while and ask them to look right at you for a few minutes while you paint their eyes.

I've done this. The problem is the look of drugged stupification that often settles onto the face. Relaxed, "good" expressions are some of the challenges of life work, though - with adults in a long open studio setting you will often see that "pinched, tortured" expression. With children especially, I try to keep things jolly.

Lovely drawing, Christy!

Michele Rushworth · 08-01-2008, 12:05 PM

Quote:

The problem is the look of drugged stupification

Ah yes, good point. I've seen that look on my own kids' faces all too often!

Christy Talbott · 08-01-2008, 12:22 PM

Yes, I've had customers suggest I take their child's photo while watching the tv, and it never worked. "Drugged stupification" is a very apt description.

But when you're not working on the face it might be a very good solution for some children.

Thanks so much everyone for offering suggestions. Mischa, it's a good idea about using teens; I might be able to find some in the neighborhood. In the meanwhile I'm using my own children. This is very humbling, I must say. I need to learn anatomy much better... You need to know anatomy, because when they're not still it's nearly impossible to draw the body otherwise. Linda and Michael and whoever else works this way, I admire you greatly! I've done a few more drawings, that I'm a little embarrassed to show, but I've committed myself to this! I'll start a new thread.