A Spring Morning - 14.8 x 23.9"

After painting on my own for 8 years after studying with Frank Mason at the Art Students League of New York for about 10 years, I returned to the League last year (Sept. '08) to be able to study with the master again, after two months he retired. Subsequently, unfortunately, he passed away and Thomas Torak took over instruction of the class and I am at present (Oct. '09) still studying there at the League.
So I am, and have been of late, focused on thoughts and concerns of portraiture and figure painting. Today I came across an interesting thought which I wanted to remember and I think will be helpful to anyone attempting to do figure painting and/or portraits. It comes from the book Practical Hints for Art Students by Charles A. Lasar.

Never paint a portrait as though the person were posing. A natural position can only be kept for a few seconds, it is like a flash of lightning. You must just put down a few large marks for the chosen position of head, hands, feet, etc., and keep fitting the sitter into them.

I found this gem of wisdom along with many others from the Underpaintings blog by Mathew Innis. Check out his website and blog, I'm sure you'll be inspired.

The book is also mentioned by Jeremy Lipking, an artist I admire and respect very much, on the bookshelf page of his website.