The real challenge of portrait painting
Drawing and painting people is not fundamentally any different from any other subject, yet portraits have a reputation for being difficult, and for some, the most difficult to do. This is a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy of course: the more a perceived difficulty increases, the less that is achieved. Even worse, a few initial attempts may be consigned as failures, cementing opinion for all time.
We are social beings, and even the most reclusive of us live with others. We relate to others in the present, melded with past memories, aspiring futures and dreams. In very real ways, we are never alone and that makes us human. For millennia we have evolved ingrained biological inclinations to connect to others: on a conscious level certainly and perhaps even more fundamentally through our unconscious. Because we need to relate to people, we look at them and equally, them at us. As soon as we see someone’s face, all sorts of neurons start firing; feelings and emotions well up. Language subroutines spool and we are generally energized and impacted on a very deep and human level.
For the task at hand though, all of this brain activity does not necessarily help aspects of the portrait process. In fact, it probably shuts down the sense of spatial relationships that are at the core of drawing. All of our being is focused on the face, communication and human connection. Our brain says “Who cares whether that cheekbone is right…I’m feeling something so much more” and with our primary human responses in high gear our spatial art skills are crowded out: one reason why people are intimidated by the portrait. Perhaps the problem with portraits is bit like rubbing your tummy and tapping your head at the same time!
Upcoming Orléans Workshop “From Auerbach to Zorn: Portraits, Modern and Classical” | All Levels | Sat + Sun | Mar 21 + 22 | 9:30am-4:30pm
Whether your interest is in contemporary or classical, join us for an inspired weekend surrounded by portraiture’s many geniuses. Oil, acrylic, watercolour, and pastel artists are all welcome! One spot remaining, OSA Course Registration: https://registration.artottawa.ca/course/detail/12377
Spring Teaching Program
This spring David will be running two on-line courses:
- Acrylic & Oil – with Colour and Expression! 10 sessions, Tuesdays 14 April to 16 June, 9:00 to 11:30am
- Drawing & Watercolour – with Colour and Expression! 10 sessions, Wednesdays 15 April to 17 June, 9:00 to 11:30am
Registration will open on the OSA registration system on 9 March: https://www.artottawa.ca/
Unfortunately other spring commitments preclude in-person teaching and plein-air painting, however watch this space for an expanded summer program!!
A new booking system at the OSA – goes live for the Spring Term
The OSA is upgrading the system used to sign up for courses and camps. On March 9th, the new system will go live for the Spring Program. The process promises to be more streamlined and mobile-friendly. All the details: https://www.artottawa.ca/news/new-registration-system
And in the wider world of Art!
River of Dreams – Impressionism on the St. Lawrence highlights Quebec Impressionism, on now at the Canadian Museum of History, continuing until August 30, 2026: https://www.historymuseum.ca/exhibitions/river-of-dreams
Tiny Michelangelo sketch of a foot sells for more than $27 million: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/06/style/michelangelo-foot-auction-intl-scli
YouTube’s earliest video has been deemed museum-worthy: https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/18/style/youtube-first-video-victoria-and-albert-museum
Break-a-Brush!
David & France