- I Remembered to Take a Picture This Time!
I wrote about OIC’s Portrait Day April 2009 session here which covered the basics of what it’s about so I won’t go into it again. I can’t believe I’ve only attended one session so far and it’s been more than a year since! 
The registration fee has increased ($10 now as opposed to $5 then but still worth every cent) and each sitting now lasts 20 minutes instead of the previous 15. I managed to get 6 portraits done in the 3 hours I was there. There was a decent mix of models that day ranging from singles, couples and children. It’s not without it’s minor issues though: since the models are usually non-professional volunteers (I believe most signed up on the spot) some find it hard to keep still for the duration of the sitting (kids especially), and the breaks in between sets can be a little too long. I also feel the staging can do with a little more variety, perhaps with judicious placement of lights to get some interesting shadows. Regardless, I’m enjoying attending these Portrait Day sessions; getting in some practice time and examining other artists’ interpretations on display. The wide variety of styles showcased goes to show how open and unpretentious the event is. Anyone can sign up and put pencil (or pen or paintbrush) to paper. And as stated in the OIC website: “Posting your work for view & sale (compulsory ) is a sign of appreciation to the patron/sitter/ poser.” Thank you to the family that bought my drawing of their kids (refer to picture above)!
I’ll upload the rest of the portraits done once I have them scanned and montaged. I’m still dying to try out some markers I bought awhile back and use my brush pen more often. I still just can’t seem to spare the subject or risk ‘spoiling’ what I’ve sketched out. I really need to try harder to be less precious about my attempts and keep telling myself “It’s JUST a drawing!”. Oh well, maybe next time! 
Kudos again to OIC for keeping the event going and giving us another avenue to flex our drawing muscles. I hope I don’t have to wait as long before I sign up for my next session!
