Boy
18 x 24
Self portrait with red scarf
14 x 14
My son has been a great model over the years because of his penchant for losing his favorite technologies and being too broke to replace them. A couple of years ago I bought him a replacement phone, and had him work off the cost with regular portrait sittings. We listened to audio books in the studio, and it was actually a great way to spend time together. And we both got something out of the deal.
This week, his camera vanished, so I'm happy to say that I have my model back! Well, I didn't really want to buy another camera, but there you go. He works for less than a professional model, and I figure I'm fostering his creativity by replacing the camera, so this is still a win for us both. The painting at top was done in the time it took to watch an action film on my laptop, stationed on a tall table at his eye level. Amazingly, he didn't take a single break, or twitch!
Aside from bribing my children, the other way that I get a model is to look in the mirror. Though the model moves frequently, and squints too often, I do enjoy painting a self portrait and have many in the studio.
I've heard of painters offering small paintings in exchange for sittings, and I may explore that down the road. But, until then, my new camera owner will do just fine.
Happy painting!