3hr. Portraits at my Studio

[Mike Dodson]

Each Monday evening I have models sit for me. The maximum time I allow myself to work (including model break's) is 3 hours. No preliminary drawing. Draw with the brush. I am attempting to capture just the important information. I feel this has helped me substantially with my finished pieces.

[Michael Georges]

I like these a lot Mike! Very well defined planes and the likeness is good!

[Mike Dodson]

Thank you Michael.

I still feel I need to aquire the discipline of being more decisive. I would like for my brush strokes to be larger and show more confidence. That will come with time I know. Work, work, work!

The mosy difficult part for me, believe it or not, is that I am thinking way too much about how the model is feeling. I feel myself being rushed, wanting not to "inconvenience" them by consuming their time. Odd distraction I know.

I typically work on an untoned canvas but I decided on the canvas in the middle to try a toned canvas (cerulean blue & raw umber). The picture here shows the drawing stage. I will post the completed painting when finished.

[Mike Dodson]

2.25 hrs painting progress

[Julie Deane]

I can relate to this feeling of inconveniencing too, Mike. When it's one on one instead of a group, that pops up. Plus I don't know about anyone else, but I feel shy when I have to look into the eyes to get the visual info needed.

These are excellent!

[Mike Dodson]

I did this as a demo for a group recently.

[John Reidy]

Very nice, Mike. I've heard of other, more well known portrait artists that have attempted to demonstrate such portraits and have not been able to pull it off as well as you.

I also agree that such work will strengthen your work overall.

Good work.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Great job.

[Mike Dodson]

Thanks Claudemir & John.

[Carol Norton]

Mike, these ALL are such wonderful, strong paintings. Each one captures personality AND are accurate likenesses. Posting these paintings for us to see is a real gift. You inspire me.