Title : Portrait of

Louise

Oil on Canvas

Private Collection

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"This is the third portait I painted of a great
friend and regular model of mine.

It captures quite a direct gaze and makes
strong use of natural light. Although the portrait
has a very formal air, the biggest challenge of
the sitting was us trying to stop laughing.

Quite often in portrait sittings the sheer
abstract nature of the job in hand can
guarantee that lots of laughs are to be had! A
portrait sitting should be enjoyable and never a
chore for either party. I always look forwards
to them and hope my sitter does too.

The reason there was so much laughter was
that the elegant red "gown" she is wearing
was actually an old curtain she had brought
with her - not quite as romantic in the cold light
of day, but added to the portrait tremendously."