For a while now continuing work on the portrait of my dad and his cello has been delayed by some health issues he was having. I figured we would be able to resume in good time and wasn't concerned about finishing by any set date. I wanted to paint from life, at least to get a color study done, and was willing to wait. As it turns out, as everyone knows, reasons for delay began to multiply in unbelievable fashion as the whole world has canceled work and activities to stop the spread of the deadly pandemic. I most sincerely hope and pray that you and those you love have been safe from this illness.
One benefit of this crisis is that with the return of my two oldest kids from college my whole nuclear family is together again under one roof. This is something I did not expect to happen very much or very often anymore as my oldest daughter, Cayley, graduates from college and enters the career phase of her life. I was presented with the opportunity to ask her to sit for a portrait and she kindly agreed. It is always better to work from life and having someone willing to sit is wonderful.
She sat for two separate sessions, each lasting approximately three hours (with breaks). On one side she was lit from the studio window that has a supplemental set of fluorescent lights and on the other side with a warm, diffused spot light. It was a pleasure to spend time with her, listen to and talk about music, and enjoy coffee breaks. She was an extremely patient sitter!
This was my progress after the first session, about two and a half hours of work.
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