the sight-size process

The principle is straight forward, the artist and sitter agrees how and in which direction the to sit, and then marks approximately 10 paces back establishing the pose. This is important as the visual measuring and accuracy requires the same height, angle and distance to be constant. The sitter poses at the same time of day to achieve, as close as possible, the same light and shadows.

During this whole process the artist and the sitter develop a complex relationship of trust as the artist captures the unique character of the sitter..

under painting

The sight-size method of portraiture has the canvas placed on the easel beside the sitter - the painting is life-size.

The canvas is traditionally 50x60cms for head and shoulders. This is oil on linen canvas using a traditional Florentine colour palette. The painting starts as an under-painting: proportions are drawn out predominantly using the shadows - building day by day with the darkest shadows working towards the finer details.

progression

This is Ben.

He sat (and chatted) for two hours (with several refreshment breaks), over five afternoon.

The process is a challenge of ‘push and pull’ as the light changes from day to day. The paint layers build up and the image emerges.

One of the hardest decisions as an artist is when to walk away, is it still a sketch - a work in progress - or a moment captured.

This painting had a set time limit, however, it was a conscious decision to focus on the head as the focal point.