Have you ever wondered what goes on inside an artist’s head when they create? Are you asking what do painter’s think when they paint? This short piece exposes the inner dialogue of an artist creating a portrait painting. A bit of fun, but I often go through a roller coast of thoughts and feelings when making art. It’s better when you can fall into the work and your inner voice is silent, though this is rare and seldom enduring. Often for me, it’s like a crowd of people, with the same voice, talking over each other with conflicting advice.

“Where to start?

The eyes, where should they go?

… and mark out the chin.

This is the bottom of the nose, here,

and the mouth here.

Quickly sketch it out…

Oh, now this is looking great already! This might be the best I’ve ever…

It definitely looks like her.

Shadows,

highlights,

midtones, which colour?

OK this cheek looks weird.

Like this? No? This direction instead?! Uh, I’ll come back to it?

Is that eye in the right place? Yes of course, no need to measure again!

This person has a weird nose. Hard to draw.

Uh thisisshit.

Shall I start over? NO! Keep. Going.

Too much purple now?

More blue?

Too much blue?

Where’s the purple?

I should never have lent my pens to those kids, they are expensive and now the nibs are all bent.

That eye IS in the wrong place, better go over it.

Wow much better! THAT’S what was wrong. I should have changed it earlier…

More red everywhere I love red!

Does it still look like her?

Mmmm I miss the blue, it looked great then.

It doesn’t look like her now.

OK, careful, think about. each. mark.

What shape should this mark be?

Where should this one start…or end?

A gentle curve, and flick!

OK, not bad, just a little more shadow under the mouth and it’s finished.

Oh and the hair needs work.

Is that bottom lip right?

The eyebrows….

Is it finished?

More red!

No, less red…

Is this the best I can do?

Maybe needs a bit more on the neck… and lighter here on the forehead.

The likeness is there, will she see it too?

A small squiggle here?

Anything more?

Is it finished…?”