Pictures at an Exhibition

Life class IX

Played around with some false colour in the background of these three studies. Makes for a  more vibrant and decorative image. The primaries seem to enliven the flesh colour which is also heightened to a lesser degree.

Beginnings of a new portrait

Thought it would be an idea to record the progression of a current portrait.

Working from photographs, I trace the image and transfer the drawing on to canvas.

In this case I am applying the paint, starting at the eyes, and gradually pushing outwards to the rest of the face. The paint is very thin. It helps to have a smooth, fine weave linen as the diluted paint goes on like watercolour almost.

I hope to get the finish right with the first application but inevitably I will have to paint another layer, at least here and there.

The photo isn’t great. I only had my phone to take it with.

 

Wheelie Bins

What else to do when painting is finished for the day.

Draw in a sketchbook and vow to yourself that you will draw something every day. These “reminders to self” contracts are never acted upon but it’s good fun to kid yourself on. These picturesque bins sit outside in the courtyard and inspire me to produce more rubbish to fill them.

Janie’s “Hmphh”

Uh-Oh, Kate can paint!

What have I done? I have not repeatedly told the weans till my throat was sore to avoid painting at all costs.

I am sure I have said it often, just not often enough or with manipulative tears or threats.

Maybe Kate will get over it soon but the fact that she got paid for these two means I dread the worst. Sooked in, she’ll be!

Amyway, here’s Kate’s first bona fide commission. She was painting a picture for a friend’s birthday when a friend of mine saw what she was up to and asked her to paint two portraits for christmas presents.

Watercolour painting

First post of the New Year. Two weeks off and I forget how to put paint on. The only way to remedy that fear is to put some paint on.

I am giving a watercolour workshop on the 23rd so I have to get my hand in with a few watery paintings. First one is of Kate, hair pulled back and make-up on for theatre dance class. I have attempted to reproduce a watercolour I did of Maili some years back to compare with this one. I think It’s a decent face but it isn’t as subtle as the earlier one.  This one has more pigment on it due to me overestimating the strength of the colours. New medium, new learning. I’ll try another tomorrow.

Tom O’Leary’s Lacote

The Lacote style guitar made by Tom O’Leary in 2001. The same guitar with a variation in the head painted by Manet.

 

 

Finished portrait

A portrait just finished of Tom, an Ayrshire luthier. This was an unusual commission in that we made a trade of our respective crafts. In exchange for the portrait, Tom gave me the first guitar that he made. The guitar is modelled on an 1829 Lacote, a thing of beauty. A petite body with a nineteenth century kind of singing tone as you play it. I wish I could play better but practise wont seem so hard on this wee instrument. The inlay work on it is amazing. I’ll post some photos of it soon. That is the very guitar by Tom’s left knee.

Open Weekend

A great weekend at the Courtyard Studios. The weather was good despite the forecast and the place was busy both days. Most of the artists stayed back to present Margaret with a wee drink and a bunch of flowers to say thanks for being studio rep for seven years. That’s me with a dozy smile at the left hand side!