Ruth Soller » Blog

Josh dons his cowboy hat and leads us to ponder whether he is fixin' to round up some dogies or to stomp a Texas Two-Step with the cowgirls. Share your story in the comments box below.

Josh was an intense young man who modeled for Dan Beck's workshop on Controlling Edges and Shapes in oil portraits. Josh, who has a career as a film maker, was able to take on varying personas and remain focused for long poses. I began this piece at the end of a three day workshop; then completely reworked it later in my studio. I like the intense expression on Josh's face and the way I have begun to use a variety of edges from soft to sharp along with a variety of major shapes in the composition. I am working on transitions from warm to cool color temperatures as well as gradations of values from light to dark.

Filemon modeled for us in Johanna Harmon's figure and portrait class at the Art Students League Denver. After starting the painting in class, I completed it later in my studio using photographs.