Investing your sweat, your money, and your time in a work of art, only to see that it looks like crap the moment you step back from it, is mind-numbingly painful.
Silverpoint/metalpoint was the Old Masters’ pencil before there were graphite pencils. These artists used the medium for delicate, detailed work, and for cartoons under frescos. Contemporary artists are exploring the medium because it is now easy to use, in any size and for many subjects.
My ideal studio would definitely be much larger than what I have now. Simple, minimalist, green design. Great natural light. Big sink. Big work table. Big wall. Whitewashed. A place where paint can be spilled, nothing fussy.
The building is old and charming, and by the time I climb the four flights of stairs, I feel that I have entered a calmer environment. No matter what is going on in my life, I always walk into my studio space feeling relieved to be there.
I have a confession to make. It’s a confession that most realists are reluctant to make because it reveals something that makes us feel uncomfortable. Some painters use photographs.