How to Paint from Life Without Feeling Intimidated

[@EllenR654]

Wow! Thank you, this was awesome! So much helpful information!! I will definitely be saving and watching this again when the time comes to try this myself.

[@carolw9145]

Thanks for the great tips. Beautiful portrait.

[@cindyenglert.az51]

Thank you ,Thank you! I love all you videos- I learn something everytime! 😀

[@allanagoodyear8878]

Using the tape is a great idea!

[@ChelseaLang]

I’m so glad you liked that tip! I learned it from coming to Louis Carr's Painting From Life livestreams -- so often we'd have models come in to sit and it was their very first time, and this made it SO easy for every single model. We've never run into issues with models taking breaks and getting back into their poses. It's such a great trick, and honestly made it so much easier for me when I did this on my own for the first time!

[@allanagoodyear8878]

@ Chelsea, I actually had someone volunteer to sit for me! I was commenting on how beautiful that she is and that I was getting back into my painting and she just said she would be interested in posing!

[@Seekingsophia00]

I find that working with good materials also makes the process a lot more enjoyable. There's nothing more satisfying than mixing high-quality oil paint and then using a well gessoed lined canvas. Argasm 😂

[@sandiq6551]

Painting from life is where you excel! And you get a good likeness in such a short time! Please share more timelapses of your paint from life process.

[@ChelseaLang]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoy it - I'll make sure to include more videos like this in the future!

[@artbykcappadona5166]

That’s exactly right. Those paintings of beautiful women sometimes look sweet and not candid. But a person with some character in their face and average person with a certain look in their eye or maybe a few characters on their face that are more striking or different or even not beautiful, usually make a much more interesting subject.

[@artbykcappadona5166]

I think the biggest fear that I have painting from life when it comes to a portrait is disappointing the person as I practice my skills. I don’t want to insult anyone and I know that my painting probably will not look 100% like them. They’re expecting a Michelangelo and they end up with a mediocre attempt. We all have that feeling even painting outside people rush up and want to see the painting and expect something incredible. And 3/4 of the time you’re painting the painting. It looks like crap until you put the final touches on it that make it look more professional. So it’s hard to watch people’s faces as they look at it and think what is that my kindergartener could do that. You just have to get past caring and do your best.

[@ChelseaLang]

I totally get that, and it's a very common anxiety to have. I think, in an instance like that, that it's totally OK to say this is for practice and ask if the model is OK not seeing the drawing or painting you make. That being said, I've seen this over and over and usually the model just thinks it's really freaking cool to have someone else depict them! So communication is key no matter which way you go, but there are plenty of ways you can remove the pressure. You've got this!

[@linwoodsly7101]

Just paint what u c 😊 from the Heart ❤️, then let it be

[@mrsdashwood9700]

Could you please list the names of the paint colors you use as you go. I’m new to portrait painting and I’m unsure of the colors to use for the base shadows, etc.

[@ChelseaLang]

I'm going to start showing my palette more in these videos, but if it helps, my palette for this was (all Vasari brand) titanium white, yellow ochre, terra rosa, transparent oxide red, transparent oxide brown, ruby red (permanent rose), ultramarine, and viridian. Don't worry too much about the exact mixtures -- just jump in and try. Once you're familiar with a given palette, you won't actually wonder what the mixtures are any more because you'll just be able to identify them, and this is actually a core component of improving your art.

[@mrsdashwood9700]

@ Oh, thank you! Love your channel.

[@RumoHasIt]

So I see you also got snow like the rest of us 😂

[@ChelseaLang]

It's so rare that I intentionally filmed out the window so I could document it for the ages. 😂

[@cindyenglert.az51]

Thank you ,Thank you! I love all your videos- I learn something everytime! 😀