There is something so magical about capturing someone's essence on canvas. I'm fascinated and frustrated in equal measures as I try to learn to be a better portrait artist. I love the energy of painting from life, be it people or landscapes. Several years ago, I came across information on the Zorn Palette and thought, “Wow, only four colors!” White, yellow ochre, cadmium red and Ivory black - and variations. I've experimented with various limited palettes, but after looking a

This article appeared in the 1st Quarter 2019 The Art of the Portrait Journal publication. Mary Sauer has carefully cultivated her talent through her work, and it shows. It was Mary’s exquisite use of color and confident, natural brushwork that immediately drew me to her art. Her work seems effortless, but as anyone who has picked up a brush knows, this level of expression takes not only talent but work. It comes from providing the seed of intrinsic creativity with the requis