Elizabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun

At the market
The very beginnings of a portrait
acrylic on canvas
Barbara Muir © 2009
(Sorry the painting is still wet. I am
blocking in her face and the basic shapes of
her clothes. You can see that I haven't
finished the glasses at all, because I
think the features in the face will still
move around for another couple
of sessions.)

One painter who's had a profound effect on me is the
portrait painter, Vigée Le Brun, who produced
at least 600 portraits in her lifetime. (I have seen
the count as high as 1500). These were large,
detailed, fine art pieces.

Her advice to portrait painters was excellent. Some of
her tips seem strange today when portraits can go
in any direction, but her advice on being ready and
set up when your clients arrive is still 100% right.

She is the artist who taught me to have two hour portrait
sessions because if you ask for a longer session, "their
expression will change noticeably, a situation to be avoided
at all costs."

I'm certain she is still making an impression on many
portrait painters and she lived from 1755 - 1842.

No! I don't paint like her. The style is not right for
2009. But I admire her paintings very much, and
am always amazed when I think of her dedication
and phenomenal output.

The painting tonight is the start of a portrait commission.
You may recognize the face from an earlier sketch. I am
starting to block in the shapes of the face, and it is just the
beginning. The woman's face is a delightful combination
of a mature woman and the sparkle and joie de vivre of a
young girl. She is great fun, and I'm sure finds it hard to
sit still.
Have an honouring-past-painters day.