Back in late April, I was a model for a Scott Burdick portrait painting workshop. I had my reservations, I didn’t know if I’d be able to sit still that long and I would rather be on the other side of the canvas so to speak. But his workshops are kinda pricy and I thought it would be a good way to be a fly on the wall and pick up some tips.
I’m not a portrait painter myself, so I thought it would be interesting to find out more. Unfortunately, I really didn’t get in on any of the lessons. It was broke down into sections for the models, I hadn’t thought of that but no one would be able to model for as long as the workshop was.
It was still fun though, I met a lot of other artists who were friendly and let me take their photos as they painted and the finished works – or as finished as they could be in the time allowed.
I’ve got a lot of photos that I took during my break which I think I got 10 minutes every 20 minutes. Look closely as their paintings evolve, I found this so interesting to see how each one worked so differently.
I’ve put these in chronological order, here we go!
Charlene Brown and Diane May painting
painters painting
Scott Burdick giving advice to Laura Shepard
The artists working on their paintings
Victoria Gillieron’s progress
Artist Terry Watson at work
artist Charlene Brown at work
Diane May working on her painting
Scott Burdick talking with student Laura Shepard
Victoria Gillieron working on her painting
Artist Terry Watson’s double portrait work in progress
Mike Sowers studying his painting
Charlene Brown working on her painting – check out the green underpainting!
Diane May working on her painting
Penny Diamond taking a break
Laura Shepard working on her painting
Artist Victoria Gillieron at work
Mike Sowers painting
Charlene Browns painting and Diane May working on her painting
Diane May working on her painting
Laura Shepard adding finishing touches to her painting
Artist Victoria Gillieron’s work so far
Artist Terry Watson at work
artists continuing painting
Charlene Brown working on her painting
Diane May working on her painting
Artists finishing up their paintings.
Artist Laura Shepard with her finished painting
Artist Victoria Gillieron with her finished portrait of me
Terry Watson with her finished portraits
Artist Charlene Brown with her finished painting
Penny Diamond with her finished painting
Artist Diane May with her finished painting
Mike Sowers with his finished painting
Me with artist Mike Sowers paintings
While I’m standing next to Mike Sowers paintings it doesn’t mean I like his the best. I like everyone’s work. He was handy when I asked to take my photo so I stood next to his paintings.
I wouldn’t want to pick a favorite. I’ve painted only a handful of portraits myself (one being B.B. King which is here) and it’s hard to get the likeness. Many got the likeness and others not so much.
I think Laura Shepard’s painting is the most close to looking like me. Many of the artists were very kind in their vision of me! ha ha… I have to say I really liked the style of Charlene Brown (the one with the green underpainting), I feel I look almost like a fairy, prettier than in real life for sure. When I saw that the green was just the underpainting, I was kinda disappointed because I really liked the abstract quality of the colors but in the end I still really like it.
Enjoyed reading about your portrait experiences. I would have to say as a fellow creative there is no way any artist is going to paint a portrait that you think looks like you because everyone sees everything through not only thier own eyes but through thier own experiences. All of the paintings look like a version of you. Its kind of a cool concept to think about the myriad versions of all of us as we are seen by others. And….i might add..as a sister creative i think you are beautiful….
Oh you are always so sweet Patti. I agree, we all see things very differently and I think that is a beautiful thing. That’s why I think it’s important that everyone share their gifts with the world.
This is so cool Jaime! I once posed nude while 7 months pregnant for Polaroid studies used by Julius Zarand. It was fun. I always wonder if he ever finished any paintings he based on my Polaroids. I’m sure he’s passed away now (it was years ago and he was in his 80’s at the time)and I sometimes wonder what happened to those Polaroids ?
Ooo La La Tina! You saucy little thing! Ha ha… I’ll have to do a search now for this Julius Zarand! I would want to know what happened to those Polaroids, too.
?yes. It’s always the quiet, straight laced ones that are full of surprises?
Hah! Yes, it’s those quiet one you have to watch out for!!