Thanks for the comments.
I only just this month did what I would call a fully traditional piece from the Chris Saper workshop. I did a couple of dark backgrounds with well worked and cleanly modulated skin. I felt satisfied but got a rash of input from my peers about the LACK of my personal style.
I work alla prima. Habit from 80% open studio over the last 5 years. I can whip a nice loose 20x16 in three hours. Sort of like jogging. I do likeness well. BUT I have not had to please a model in many moons. The latest excercises have forced me to work and re-work.
I am not comfortable with the traditional glazing and layering of paint. I am a bad planner and it does not suit my temperment. I think this rash of experiments is a rebound from the tightness I have been exploring. I still like working alla prima, but this underpainting has really freed me from tackling everything at once.
Building the likeness in gray tones, the way I LIKE to do it, much like a charcoal drawing, is easy and exciting. Overpainting is manic. I have not slept much because I am so able to paint more as I was taught only making color choices, not value decisions, and fighting the likeness etc.
The defense of the colored surface is a marketing idea. I want to see if the style works, I may market through designers so I will be able to guarantee I will match the sofa BEFORE I take on the commission!
Here is the piece from Chris's class.
http://forum.portraitartist.com/atta...=&postid=29794
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