Mother's Day Live Painting

I thought I'd get this out while it's still fresh in my head. All the things that happened, that I did, and that I learned from my fifth (can't believe I have to stop and count by now!) live painting session.

To begin with, I had a good feeling about today. The location was very promising, the weather was good, my hostess was enthusiastic and gracious, and it was a great occasion to be painting for.

And yet, I went with a bunch of nerves because I'd had so many different experiences prior to this, that I didn't know what to expect.

At all my live sessions, I've been offering different services. All custom portraits, but different versions. It's a good way to learn about what works and how customers respond.

So today's version was a completely custom portrait. This had only previously been offered through direct bookings at home or through my website. This is my premium offering.

But when brainstorming what I could offer customers for Mother's Day, I just couldn't come up with anything that would work except for going fully custom. Mother's Day covers so many different versions of motherhood. Mothers with babies, young kids, grown up kids, grandmothers and grandchildren... I just had to go all-in. So I did.

In the days leading up to this live session, I wasn't nervous at all. It felt good to be this relaxed, finally. In terms of what I had to bring and what to do, I had it covered.

I turned up at Haargezelschap this morning at 9:15 and found that Wendy had laid out a very pretty table for me to paint at. She was busy with a customer but it didn't matter since I just had a backpack to unpack. Incidentally, one thing I learnt from my previous session was not to come with too much. If I look too much like a market stall, people tend to steer clear. I had to look like an innocent street artist :P

Once I was set up, I realised that the sun was really pretty bright. I wanted to sit facing the sun so the shadow wouldn't fall on the artwork but that meant that I could hardly see anything on my phone screen. I eventually moved to have my back to the sun, which was better, but then my neck started burning!

Note to self: next time, bring a wide-brimmed hat if painting outdoors!

Most people at that time of the morning were busy doing errands. Most people hardly glanced my way, and if they did, scurried past as fast as they could. Funny :)

Anyway, I was busy with my first of two commissions from Wendy. I was immediately thrown into the deep end with a portrait of four people. Normally I can take my time with this, and ask for details about the clothing to make it as representative of the people as possible. But at a live session, it isn't possible to be this specific. So as long as I had clear photos of their faces and hair, I went ahead and designed their outfits myself. Most live portraits end up with jeans and a t-shirt to save time. But their faces and hair are always accurate.

One thing different about today compared to the others was that more people stopped by to pick up business cards. They were genuinely interested, but just didn't want to make a decision then and there about a portrait. Which I completely understand, as it does require some time investment to look for photos, and get into a conversation. Most people want to go home and read a bit more.

A few also asked if I sat there every day or every week, and I had to tell them I don't :) To be honest, I don't think I could take the pressure of finishing so many portraits in one day. Or maybe I'd get so good at it, I wouldn't even think twice!

At the end of the day, I packed up my things having sold 4 portraits, and painted 15 people. Not a bad day's work. It was well-paced, and I felt, even though thoroughly exhausted, also very satisfied.

I cleared up my station and took my posters down, said thanks and bye to Wendy, and received an invitation to come back anytime. And I might just take her up on it!