I am almost sorry to have finished this painting as I have much enjoyed the working of it. I think it has been the contrast of lights and darks which have, as always, drawn me in. The end result is a much more interesting composition and one which I will return to in my next work. I added in touches of one of my favourite Michael Harding paints, Kings Blue Deep, right at the end which I feel rounds off the painting. Yes, I know the girl does not have blue cheeks, but doesn’t it look more fun this way?! Michael Harding paints are certainly dearer in price, but the pigments are out of this world and I use less of them as the paint is thicker. I would also recommend Rosemary & Co’s brushes which are again, slightly pricier, but so much better and last longer (I think). The wedding ring is back on the table to, hopefully, make the viewer think and hopefully make up their own mind as to what is happening. This is why I so like painting narrative figurative works as opposed to straight portraiture which is what I used to do. There is a…
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So the best part begins for me, going down to smaller brushes for adding in the detail. Whenever I start a painting, after a week or so, I look at what I have achieved with bigger brushes and much looser work and think I should leave it like that. But the fine artist in me always wins out and I go for the detail. Maybe I should try and stop at the early stages with a painting – feedback welcome here ? I have been putting in highlights to the left of the painting as the composition is lit from a window which I felt did not help the work by being put into the picture. I have softened the light from the overhead lamp by introducing more muted shades of yellow ochre to compliment the purple shades above the girl’s head – complimentary colours always work by the way, Google the colour wheel for more on this aspect of colour. Next week should see the final details of the wine glass, mirror etc., and of course the gold ring! I have added in some detail on the shoes but am not sure whether I will keep that bit of…
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Week 2 of Untitled (so far). Could be Daily Diva Dash! 12 August 2015
Having asked in last week’s blog for any ideas for a title for this painting, someone has come back with the brilliant title of the ‘Daily Diva Dash’. Out of the window went all my romantic ideas of the wedding ring and the pros and cons for the viewer of a possible affair in this work. Instead, the daily task of looking your best and I think there could be a series of paintings here (if I can persuade my model to pose yet again for me!). So thank you WyzappleGal on Twitter for the clever title. The colour is not completely accurate yet via the photo I have put up and I apologise for this. The table cloth is a muted pale green and I shall eventually put some white polka dots on it ….or not, depending on my mood at the time of painting haha. I keep making the background darker and still think it could be darker still, but will wait a few days to review it. I use linseed oil with this, adding it to the oil paint so that I get a hopefully, light glaze. Glazes are brilliant as you still see the original paint…
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