Roses and Reflections

Finally, I have finished Roses and Reflections. I’ve left out several potential posts that say ‘then I went over the top surface and improved it a bit’. I’ve done that everywhere, and I’ve also nudged the copper pot back to

Portrait of A. – forming the features

I had a day to myself when everything else was drying, and I put the Portrait of A back onto the easel. I’d already done the hair and jacket, but not completed them – they were on the canvas to

Portrait of A. – background

The gridded portrait was quick enough that I could get started on the background in the same day as I began the tonal sketch. I decided to go with the same lighting as in the train, and to lie about

Portrait of A*.

Sometimes in the life of an artist there comes a time when they just have to terrify passing civilians by asking, “Do you mind if I paint you?” For extra points, you can then tell them why, but that usually

Masters’ Soap

I’ve never quite been convinced by brush soap, even as I use it. Other soaps might work as well, and there’s always washing up liquid. Still, the pot I have is good for working colour out from the base of

How To: Varnish a Painting

Varnishing a painting protects the surface, and makes its surface consistent and glossy, like the top surface of a freshly finished painting. A coat of varnish can be taken off and replaced without destroying the top coat of the painting,

Dragons: Day 5 – the dragon

This day was spread out over a couple of painting sessions, to allow the paint to dry, but the underpainting took no more than a couple of hours, so I’m calling it a single day. I knew the dragon in