Getting ahead of myself

This time of year is when I start thinking I ought to be getting a portrait underway. So that I have something to submit to the big open portrait exhibitions looming in March next year. Of course, Christmas then takes over as a priority, followed my my sons birthday, my birthday, then skiing..... and before you know it....March deadlines are apon me and I have to paint in a panic. Not this year! Here is one I prepared earlier.

A small portrait

A small portrait.

A nice change

We had a young male model posing for our class on Monday. Most models tend to be female, if not they are usually middle aged males.

Quick portrait

Just a quick painting that worked from start to finish. Acrylic on board.

Final Chance

Ok, the picture is at the framers. When I get it back it will be my last chance to make any final corrections.

Final lap?

Finally managed to get back to the painting after a long break. Starting to run out of ideas as to what more needs to be done.

Keep your hair on

Work on the face.
Knock back the background.
More work on the face and dress. Her right eye is knocked back because it is about to be repainted on a different position.
Face, hair, hands and dress worked on.

A heads up

Started working in some general shapes on the head but have refined some features more than I should at this stage.

Next installment

Only small changes.

Start of the Sarah Portrait

Open Portrait Exhibitions are looming on the horizon. It is time to start a new portrait. Sarah kindly agreed to sit for this portrait some time ago. So I have reference photos, a colour study and now a canvas built to size. The first photo shows just how rough the initial mapping in is.
The figure is refined a little still trying not to commit myself too much at this point.
A blocking in of dark areas.


The last images show lots of work on the background. Two days work to get to this point.