"A portrait is a painting with something wrong with the mouth." "Every time I paint a portrait, I lose a friend." Both quotes by American Impressionist painter John Singer Sargent.
After 32 years of marriage, I can draw a recognizable picture of my husband from memory. But it is still going to be a much better likeness if he poses for me. Imagine how frustrating it is to try to get a likeness of someone you don't know. For example, a model at an open studio session. Some artists have the ability to capture a likeness quickly. For me, what a struggle! I get closer and closer to a likeness the more often I have the same model. My favorite model is Senalka, who, alas, moved to San Francisco.
I offer a selection of my drawings of her. None truly come close to capturing her sweetness and strength.
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