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This was supposed to be an oil portrait of granddaughter Starlight and was meant to express emotions of “Read to me, Grandpa.” Instead, the emotion triggered in the family was laughter.

It is necessary to have honest feedback about your paintings. Brutally honest feedback is never lacking in my family. You will be greatly rewarded if you watch all the way to the final 3 minutes. Laughter and a lesson are guaranteed at the end.

I might be the only artist who shows the misses and not just the hits. It’s all part of my journey as an artist and the videos to document progress (I hope it’s progress).

Portraits are so hard and still beyond my reach. But each miss is another reason to keep trying. Despite the laughter, and you must watch to the end to appreciate the humor and the lesson, I did progress and learn new things from Richard Schmid’s masterpiece of a painting book, “Alla Prima II.”

I’m not measuring myself against Rembrandt. I’m comparing my previous effort with this one. It’s progress. But it still induces great laughter.

I know the principles and know what I want. Getting that result might still be beyond my reach. But learning from mistakes might just be where I get the last laugh.

Check out my website:

https://www.rogersnell.com

Sign up for my newsletter sharing new art, videos and the inspiring places we paint:

https://www.rogersnell.com/email-newsletter

Check out my vlog and list of videos:

https://www.rogersnell.com/blog

I’m the author of two books:

https://www.rogersnell.com/books

I am a member of Plein Air Artists of Central Kentucky; Plein Air Painters of the Bluegrass; and the Kentucky Appalachia Outdoor Painters.

#richardschmid #portraitpainting #paintingfailures #learningtopaintportraits #rogersnell #kentuckyartist