As the title suggests, the works in this exhibit were created from life, many from poses lasting no longer than 20 minutes. The studies in oil took two or three sessions, each about 2 ½ hours long.

The challenge of working from life is to translate the dynamic three-dimensional figure into a two-dimensional and (hopefully still dynamic) accurate drawing. The pressure of time constraints usually produces a surge of adrenalin.

Observing, translating what you see into shapes, proportions and tones, getting the pencil or brush to do what you want often feels like taking a test. But at the end of these sessions, I never feel that I wasted my energies.

About half of my work as an artist involves painting portraits. Because of the sitter’s time constraints and logistics, I work mostly from the photographs I take. The disadvantage of that is that photos distort colors, darken shadows and wash out lights. They also flatten the image. So, I use the life drawing sessions to keep and improve my skills of observation regarding anatomy and tone/color relationships, which help me interpret the photos I use in portrait painting.