Hannah, Age 2, Is Face #73

"Hannah: Face #73," oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

So my home studio today was filled with happiness called Hannah (and her mom, Christine). This is definitely FUN. And, fortunately, Hannah was having a good day. Just like with me, days can go either way.

Hannah's mom came equipped with a sticker project, favorite books, a picnic for her little grazer, a puzzle, crayons and a coloring book and perhaps a zillion other things. Christine was definitely the busiest of the three of us ... deftly shifting between activities and enthusiastically cheering Hannah on from beginning to end.

Not too far into the session, Hannah needed a bathroom break. Hannah and her mom had a conversation in there. Mom asked Hannah what she thought of the painting of herself. Hannah replied that "it was coming along quite nicely."

While I started painting standing up at my easel while Hannah was perched in a high stool, I shifted to sitting on the ground while Hannah enjoyed her picnic and coloring. The up and down that Hannah conquered with ease proved a bit slower and more groan-filled on my end. Older bones.

Hannah warmed up to me and this different place by the end. Matter of fact, she enjoyed hanging out in the family room after our painting session/sitting was through. Turns out lots of my stuff are perfectly suitable as toys. A silver angel, a variety of bunnies (stuffed, ceramic, wood), and a metal horse all were gainfully employed. It was really, really nice.

With all my talk about painting a four-year-old today, oops, Hannah happens to be two. Three in May. Hopefully she'll forgive me.

Thanks, Christine, for everything you did today!!!

And a note, I painted on this more from photos after the sitting although I liked the painting well when she left. It was just fun for me ... and the day danced around in my head.

Hannah checks it out

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

John Smith Is Face #53; 47 Alla Prima Portraits To Paint

"John Smith: Face #53", oil, 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

John Smith was one of my very early volunteers and he picked ... a good while ago ... this particular date to sit for me. We had an excellent time from beginning to end, and although I didn't bring out his inner George Clooney, he approved of both the process and the painting.

This is actually the third time he's been painted because he hangs out in artist circles. (Watch out for that. We're always on the lookout for faces.) His previous two painting sessions were caused by Tricia Ratliff, an artist friend of mine.

John's painting took exactly three hours with breaks and a leisurely stroll down to my home studio. The painting came together naturally, comfortably. I wish I could figure out why that is some days and not others and package that knowledge up. But, no. The secret remains with the painting gods.

My grisaille sketch. This is how the painting started.

John Smith with the painting of Face #53

I really am working at doing something different with this 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. I'm in training to be able to paint the subjects I want to paint ... from life. My goal is to be able to paint groups of people ... in comfortable settings ... without anyone posing or staying still for me so I can capture "real" life. Maybe that can work? Should be fun trying.

John and tomorrow's sitter, Janet, are a couple. John told Janet to prepare to have fun sitting and told me to be prepared for Janet to try to usurp my kitchen. She loves to cook and doesn't have enough space at her place. (Ours is pretty darn nice.)

Okay, time to wash brushes. Slow down. Take it easy. Get ready for tomorrow.

Read more about my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project on earlier blog posts (there are 52 of them starting January 1) and on my web site: www.JillBanks.com on my 100 Faces Project Page (link to it from my home page). 

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Adam, Age 8, is Face #32

"Adam: Face #32", oil , 12"h x 12"w, copyright Jill Banks 2011

Adam, age 8, came over this afternoon to sit to become Face #32 in my 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. Adam's sister, Rachel (age 10) was Face #2 and Adam felt like it was worth giving this sitting for an alla prima portrait sketch business a shot himself. (Alla prima means all at once, in one sitting.) He did great!

He sat for me in my home studio and discovered a slot machine we have in the next room... so that was a draw during breaks. He hit a triple crown result -- the best. (No payout though.)

Adam's favorite class is robotics ... but he also likes karate and art. Sounds like an interesting combination to me. He's personable and smart with an incredible memory. It's been a long while since I've spent much time around an eight year old, but wow! He recalled where he was when he played a slot machine before (the name of the hotel) and all sorts of details that I'd be chasing all through my brain. Ah, youth. He just seemed to have an awful lot together. One of his jobs at home is to find "things" that have gone missing. (I could use one of those sorts of helpers here.)

Anyway, it was a very enjoyable visit. I wasn't completely satisfied that I'd captured Adam when he left ... and did work on this afterward looking at some photographs taken during our session. Now, I think I've got it.

My still life class today was great. It seemed like everyone was rocking and rolling. Great progress. Yea!

Just Updated My Web Site's 100 Faces in 100 Days Project. I'll add Adam to the group in a few minutes ... but you can see all my faces so far and click on each painting to link to their blog post. Check it out!

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
100 Faces in 100 Days Project: www.jillbanks.com/jillbanks/100_Faces_in_100_Days_Project.html
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435