Following are some pictures where my client gave me carte-blanche ~ didn't mention how/what she wanted me to draw. So I did Faces Only. Primarily Black/White. To draw as many people at the Prom as possible. I drew 12 faces per hour. When the picture felt finished with just the face, I moved on to the next Guest. When my picture needed it, I pulled ideas from the Party Theme (Basic Prom) or what was being said by the guests.

I recommend estimating 10 pictures per hour. No telling what will affect the performance. But it's been pretty regular these days that I draw 12 per hour when left on my own like this. And pretty regular these days that I only draw 8 pictures per hour when clients Require Body/Hobby, Theme, or Color to be included on Each Picture. I feel like Clients who ask for less got more. More pictures And a Smoother Happier Party. Just my opinion. Do you agree?

I tell clients to Estimate 10 faces to be drawn per hour. And I've been happy to see lately that I've been pretty consistent about making 12 good faces per hour. But I was disappointed in myself in that I only drew 8 per hour at this Child's Party. I Reeeeaaally like these people, repeat customers, pleasant, good people. I want to do my best for them. But my hands were tied. I can only do what works in the moment.

What affected my productivity was the Requirements they ordered when they booked the Party. Reasonable, but I don't think Clients understand what they're asking me to do. These clients wanted me to include something about the Party Theme as Body or Hobby in each picture which should also include Color. These are things that are frequently included in my pictures Only as needed ~ It flows as the picture progresses. If space or situation requires something extra, I'll pull ideas quickly from what I see and hear at the Party ~ of course that means I'd easily include some Party Theme stuff if needed ~ I'd have the references all around me. But when I have to Control the picture, when I have to make sure to include space for these extras ahead of time, it's a different Activity for me.

To draw good faces, I have to be in the Moment, reacting to what I actually See. But to include SpongeBob/Calypso Body/Hobby, Oh, I have to study ahead of time and draw from memory. But not completely. Because it has to be designed in with the face that I'm seeing in that moment. So I never quite get into either Zone.

Live and learn. I've been drawing at several Parties per week for over 15 years. And I just decided on a different way to handle this type of Request. Maybe that will Up my productivity in such a situation. WHAT I HOPE TO DO THE NEXT TIME A CLIENT REQUESTS MORE THAN FACE IN THE DRAWINGS IS TO SIMPLIFY. I WILL COME PREPARED IN MY MIND TO DRAW BASICALLY ONE OR TWO SPECIFIC PICTURES WITH EACH FACE. It's the thinking/designing that takes the extra time. Oh, I want to do my best for each Client.

Actually, I think the Client gets a better deal when s/he just leaves me on my own to Entertain as needed in the moment. More pictures. More creativity. More Party Fun. But that's just my opinion, so I'm trying to handle my Client's requests as well as possible. What do you think is the better Entertainment?

Sponge-Bob-Square-Pants? Calypso? What else am I supposed to know about - Glamour Shoe manufacturers perhaps?

This sort of stuff comes up every once in a while for me as an Artist. But all I really know is how to make my Own art. I know about line quality, how different supplies respond, composition, proportions, perspective... things like that. I wonder if other professionals are expected to know extended subjects. Like, perhaps a dentist would have to know about fashion? Or or a plumber would have to know about sea-paintings which would be good to hang in a bathroom?

Anyway, I had a job coming up in which my client wanted me to include Color and Theme in each picture. Sponge-Bob-Square-Pants and Calypso Party. Well, I'm not allowed to actually draw Sponge-Bob-Square-Pants ~ Copyright issues. Sponge-Bob was created by Stephen Hillenburg. And I'm not sure what she means by Calypso ~ Hmmm.... castanets maybe? Is that it? Or oh, I think that's Flamingo, not Calypso. Wait, wait. I think Flamingo is a pink bird with a long neck. The castanets and ruffles are Flamenco. Right?

Well, here are my studies ~ I've been focused on this stuff all week:

This Party was Fun.

I don't encourage drawing more than one face on a page ~ because, of course, it takes at least two times as long to draw two people, three times as long to draw three people, etc. I still have to draw each face. AND I have to coordinate them together onto the page, comparing back and forth. I'm glad to do it, but I feel like it's better to keep the party moving. Next. Next. next.

Still, I like to draw them together. And people like to have their picture together. It's fun to watch how they relate to each other when they get their picture.