Renee and Kim, oil on linen, 193¼×113¼in (50×30cm). I wonder if these two actually do know each other? It was good fun painting them as if they did
There’s a current fashion in education and child-rearing to encourage self-esteem. To us, the last generation to be legally exposed to corporal punishment, rotelearning and all the other ghastliness of Tom Brown’s School Days, this is obviously wonderful news, and at educational establishments like the one I teach at, it’s been long-established practice. We encourage, cajole, admire and praise. Everyone is a winner. To paraphrase Garrison Keillor, all the students are above average.
You find it in manuals, how-to books and magazines like this one, too. Anyone can do it. These are the simple steps. Follow these easy instructions. Artists, professional or simply enthusiastic, will show you their secrets and you will be able to make wonderful paintings as good as theirs. I suppose it’s better than saying ‘it’s really difficult and you will probably fail’.