Hiya from Wiltshire, UK

[Nicola Scott]

It must be! Thanks Lyn

I know this is going to sound like a stupid question, but do you find much difference in the general publics attitude to art in France than in the UK?

After reading through everything I could get my monitor on in here, from what I can gather, portrait painting isn't regarded the same way in the UK as it appears to be in the USA. It might be the old British reserve happening, and the general misunderstandings of what art is worth, and how it's practiced ( especially with the media jumping on conceptual art so much ).

[Mary Sparrow]

Hi Nic! What an interesting portrait that is. I can't wait to see more of your work. Welcome to the forum, I hope it is as helpful to you as it is to me!

[Carolyn Bannister]

Nicola,

You have to remember that I am in Brittany, it's not typical of the rest of France, more like Wales is to England, it's also very rural. There are lots of galleries and exhibition spaces and from what i have seen they are very willing to give everyone a chance.

As for the attitude to portrait painting , I would have to say it is very much like the English attitude, and not really something that is widely popular, I think they have the same kind of reserve that you mentioned.

[Nicola Scott]

Thank you Mary, it's already been a huge help, haven't stopped reading through practically every thread yet

Carolyn, thanks for that, I wondered

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Hi Nicola, very engaging painting, specially him having his eyes closed!

As an Italian I LOVE British attitude toward portraits, or maybe London attitude ( I understood here everything is different from the rest of the country). There is such an open mind about portraits, style, etc., I am looking forward the RSPP exhibition in two weeks time and BP portrait award in June to see what big portrait painters are up to.

Ilaria

[Nicola Scott]

Thank you llaria.

I think it's more London attitude than British, but the open-mind thing I agree with.

The last few years it seems to be large ( 6ft by 4 ft at least) portraits with only the head. I suppose it makes the fiddly little bits easier to do..
Side note - my mother's Italian, I think their attitude to art is much better, it isn't a surprise to them the way it is here I think - course, I could be completely wrong, but that's my impression.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

In Italy the tradition of portrait and especially its teaching are totally lost, I think the best teacher is an Englishman who works in Florence...

Anyhow, I was on your site, I really enjoyed your work
I.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Nic,

Your portrait of the couple is fascinating, original, and quirky! I can't tear my eyes away from it. You make these people come alive! Thanks for posting it.

Alex