Marc Chatov: An Oil Portrait

THE ART OF THE PORTRAIT

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My preference is always to work from life— I find it a much richer experience. There are subtle nuances of emotion, energy and thought that are simply not present in the studio when painting from photograph. Because portraiture often requires working from a photograph, I find it imperative to schedule a weekly model in the studio to keep my eye fresh. Whenever I paint, I invite three of my favorite guests: Ludwig van Beethoven, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Sebastian Bach—the muses dance together. Mine is a direct painting style, laying wet into wet. Sometimes I like to do a highly finished painting and sometimes I enjoy painting alla prima, depending on the subject matter. This alla prima work was done entirely from life in three consecutive days of four-hour sittings. David has modeled for me for years and is himself an actor. He gives a great sense of drama to his poses and always comes prepared with a selection of costumes and ideas. In this sitting, I envisioned him as a sort of working man’s hero.