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ALL MEMBERS PLEASE READ THIS SECTION! After you've read it, when the red light is on in the future, please check what has been newly added.

Learn about using this forum and some of its unique features such as private messaging, subscribing to a topic, saving posts in your own folders and more.

When the red light is on, please check for updates regarding new or changes in the Forum or general portrait news of interest.

Announcements regarding members, either posted by the member or someone else posting about a member.

News items of interest to anyone in the portrait world but not related to this Forum or the SOG main site.

The purpose of a moderator is to keep topics on track, to help members who have difficulty posting and to ensure the posting rules are followed.

Feel free to enter a bio of any size and a photo of youself in your studio or a sample portrait.

Talk about your convictions and philosophy of art, whether teeth should show or not, painting from photos, something uplifting or even a a friendly debate.

Questions to ask or information to share about best oil paints, pastels, pencils, canvas or paper, types of brushes, etc.?

Not sure how to paint checks? Want to know about glazing. Post your questions here, or if you're an expert, share your knowledge.

Do you use the Golden Mean? Are backgrounds your downfall. Not sure if a composition you're considering is good?

Find questions and answers here regarding your concerns.

Do you have the inside scoop on the palette of some well-known painter? Or are you a member who has had many requests for your palette? Post it here so others can learn.

Post questions and information here related to framing of portraits.

General discussions related to the studio setup and equipment used both on and off site, excluding specific photo equipment & photography discussions.

Would you love to see how others have set up their studios or want to show off yours?

What’s your point of view in painting your subject? What do you consider before even beginning to paint, such as clothing, setting, mood, overall composition, etc.? Discuss these and other issues here.

In painting from life, how do you determine the pose? Your vantage point? How do you choose to light the model? Both technical and practical information welcome.

How do you achieve likeness and proportion? Sight-size? Relative-size?

Share ideas, tips, and the practicalities of setting up your studio. What considerations are particular to the live sitting?

NO NUDES. NOT FOR CRITIQUE. Post your finished portraits from life here. If you’d like a critique, please post in one of the Critique sections, and identify your portrait as having been painted from life. General Q&A w

NO NUDES, CRITIQUES WELCOME. Post your portraits started and finished in a single session, usually about 3 hours. Open studio work generally differs from more finished paintings that may involve many sittings and hours.

If your photography question or comment doesn't fit into one of the sections below, then please post here.

Anything to do with non-digital cameras and other photographic equipment. Post questions and info regarding digital cameras, photographing your subject or painting in appropriate section below.

Post your questions or experiences with your digital camera here.

This is a moderated section. This means your post will not appear immediately and must be first reviewed and approved by the moderator.

Have a photo as reference material for a portrait, but you're not sure if it's a good choice or what challenges might lie ahead. Post it here for commentary from other members.

Information about creating good source photos from which to paint or about simply lighting your subject if you paint from life.

Use the word "critique" as password. This is to keep out search engines.

Post your oil portrait here for a critique from others! Please see second post in this section on how to attach an image.

Post your pastel portrait here for a critique from others! Please see second post in this section on how to attach an image.

Post your portrait drawing here for a critique from others! Please see second post in this section on how to attach an image.

Post your portrait in other mediums here for a critique from others! Please see second post in this section on how to attach an image.

When posting your art, please also include the painting that you copied. Please see second post in this section on how to attach an image.

As always, our major focus is on pure portraiture. However, there are some excellent members who do figurative work and like to share this from time to time. NUDES should only be posted in the appropriate NUDES section.

Tasteful, classic nudes nudes only. No photo references.

If you're in the middle of a painting and having trouble, please post here.

We are no longer accepting critiques for animal-only portraits, however, for those interested, you can still read posts from the past.

Completed portraits only. NO NUDES and NO CRITIQUES here.

Some works are clearly figurative and not portraiture. Please post these here. NO NUDES and NO CRITIQUES.

Before release to public view, work will be reviewed for relevance to the Forum's educational mission. Only classically inspired, completed works of art as opposed to works done in open studios or quick studies. NO CRITIQUES and no photo references.

Portraits created through Wendy McArthur's 9/11 Portrait Project can be posted here. All 9/11 portraits not part of this official project should go in Unveilings. ONLY FOR COMPLETED PAINTINGS.

Anything related to the business side of portraiture including contracts, copyright issues, working with the client, marketing, etc. Portrait reps & art marketing consultants would post advice here.

This is a good place to exchange information about experiences with scanners, printers, software & ask any computer-related question.

If you have questions on making your own painting video to sell, this is the place. Or, post a request for a video by a particular artist.

Share your knowledge about conservation and restoration, ask a question or share a resource.

Post discussions, questions & information here about artists of the past including books on them. Who do you think are the top masters?

Individual artists and art marketing consultants giving seminars or workshops should post here. Regional and national events given by the portrait societies should go in Portrait Societies - Events & Announcements.

Post any questions or thoughts here about art books or videos. Recommend your favorites or tell us about an article about or by you. See Chris Saper's book announcement here.

Scholarships, competitions, work opportunities, rewards offered.

Know of an excellent school or atelier? Have a question about someone else's experience at a school or workshop? Curious how to prepare for a workshop?

Check out the list of winners or current SOG finalists & entries at the portrait society competitions.

Local and national portrait societies should post information here. Please post competiton winners under the category above.

Want to know the experience of other artists who have attended the portrait society events? or have questions about entering a society competition?