Here’s a challenge for you. Sit in a comfortable chair for about 30 minutes and don’t move. Seems pretty simple right? I mean people constantly wonder why the Mona Lisa has this partial smile and I can tell you sis was probably tired.
The hardest part about being an Art model is holding the pose, followed by staying awake and even after a break having to remember and fall back into the same pose. Remaining still is essential and because I’ve been in their postion I understand how a slight elevation of the chin can change a lot. Now what I can’t help is staying alert and awake even with coffee and some sugar staying alert, as if a photo is being taken, for 30 minutes is a challenge.
Prior to Saturday I’ve grown aware of the artist that participate in this session and was glad to see familiar faces and they were equally excited. Now understand that everyone in this class isn’t on the same level and are all exploring different expects of portraiture, some are learning and I am a simple subject matter while others are looking to create sketches for what can be paintings later on. The instructor is an amazing watercolor artist and I enjoy how she is looking to simple catch my profile while tending to other artist.
Within the session I’m am posed and taped off to mark where I am and a very bright light is placed close by for a contrast in lighting. I hold a single pose for 25-30 minutes the entire session with 5-10 minute breaks between. In that time I can use the bathroom check they progress and have a snack. It’s the 3rd 30 minute pose where it becomes difficult to stay awake and I ask if they can make noises to snap me back because I will doze off. I make tips by agreeing to have my picture taken knowing they will use these to continue the pieces after this session and I always look forward to final pieces!
Now being that I am an artist with a bachelor’s in fine arts I can’t help that when I step down from the platform I’m in instant teacher mode. A main topic is my hair, which may appear difficult but actually provides a lot of texture and color to a composition. Another topic is the planes within my face because although my head shade is pretty rectangular I have a lot of different angles within my face that creates value. The last being my eyes which for any drawing session such as this is difficult because my expression in the beginning will change by the end leaving you with either dead eyes or alert half smile eyes, hence The Mona Lisa.
Within this space I’m choosing to display their work to show their progress and to show the different interpretations of my facial structure. I enjoy the work of each artist because of their style and I believe they these all do look like me. I appreciate watercolor the most as a medium in a session like this because it takes a certain level of confidence to be able to paint with a that medium on site. Charcoal/Pastels is a common medium in this situation and allows the artist to play with value and texture. However to paint a portrait,bitch, you gots to be a master but that’s another conversation for another blog.
The only critique I have during this session was instructing this artist to leave the painting as is. He expressed having difficulty with the other side of my face after already perfectly capturing my essential features and just a few locs cascading on the side of my face. The hue of blue, my favorite color, made it the composition so serene. I enjoyed his process as well he started with my eyes making sure I looked alert and later moved down to my other features and I could hear him working hard to created the texture of my locs using a dry brush. The fading away of the my other features and hair creates a dreamy composition along that shade of blue up against the warm texture in my hair making me look as if ima figure in a dream. Can you tell this is my favorite of the session?
I can go on and on about my feeling about this experience but there will be more time for me to unravel it all because I am officially back in their model line up for the fall so there will be more! You can check out my FB/IG for live updates!
Thank you for reading!
Very interesting website …informative …..& way you explain things kept my interest … thank you for sharing
The Blue Hue Cue Was My Favorite. All Of Was Great And Bought Different Dynamics Of Angles & Expressions. The Mona Lisa Piece Tickled Me Because I Said That She Probably Said Her Buttocks Hurt And She’s Ready To Go. Her Smile Said A lot Of Things. Coco Isn’t The Only Model That’s Best For Her Angles. I Live !!
These portraits are so beautiful! I love seeing others interpret your face, as it's so expressive, and your rbf is legendary lol, making these portraits look like a strong warrior.
To see your perspective is amazing as a model and an artist. The imagery described transforms you each perspective as a spectator, especially one that has no artistry background. I love reading and seeing your journey into different mediums and spaces.