Sage Portrait Work in Progress day 1

I started this painting several times – on different canvases – finally settling on a square format, which I feel works successfully for the subject. I am mainly focus on tone at this point, having taken some time to alter the drawing before this stage. It did not look so accurate as to my reference for a while. I sit and meditate on what needs to be done, trying all the while not to identify with the work at hand.

I am a painter, and this is the work I do. I expect it to always come out somewhat close to my vision, and the arrival  does not excite me nearly as much as the journey. I enjoy the realism and truth behind tonality, the understanding of my calling – and the essential elements that go into me working in this field. I fake reality. Master of Reality!