“Painting portraits in oils is often regarded as the highest form of art, and also not one to be tackled by any other than the specialist. In this book, Rob—who has some four decades of experience—takes on a massive and daunting subject and, without trivializing, succeeds in making it manageable. This is an achievement that should be celebrated in itself. There are no sleights of hand, quick fixes or shortcuts. Rather, from a deep understanding of approaches and working processes, he adopts a methodical path that breaks everything down into a series of comprehensible steps. From getting to know your sitter to mental and technical preparation, basic skills, color and values, everything works up to a final study and sitting. Each stage is packed with examples and exercises and, by taking a visual approach, Rob leads from the front, allowing the build-up to appear before your very eyes.”
—Henry Malt, The Artist
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