#18 & #19

There is a great article in the new National Geographic about twins.  It is facinating reading, but for one who has been working on portraits it was even more interesting to look at the portraits.  Looking at the subtle differences between the identical twins felt like looking at the differences between one of my portraits and the person I am trying to paint.  Honestly, after looking at all the twins I started to think that maybe I have been painting my subjects' unseen twins.  It also may help me treat myself a bit more kindly, because if the same DNA can't produce two people with the same exact features, how can I expect my brush and some oil paint to capture the exact likeness of a person.

I had fun this week with two young friends.

He sat first and had to work hard to not smile.

Then while I painted her, he walked all around Tisa's patio taking photos!

I was happy with this start

I'm happy with this, but it doesn't capture his great personality

This beginning was just awful

So I just kept struggling

Finally today I feel pretty good about this!