This painting explores composition. I wanted to create a diagonal focus and give as much attention to the objects surrounding the sitter as to the portrait itself. Working on a full figure, on such a small scale, presents its own set of challenges. When the face is only the size of a 5 pence coin every stroke becomes important. Capturing the posture of Tara was important in getting a likeness. Initially the set up revolved around the fruit and stuffed fox cub, the elements of the Yew tree and armadillo developed more organically. My first idea for the large space…
Tag: oil
Four Figures in the Studio
Completed over nine days this small scale painting was first drawn out using the sight size method. As the left of the painting looked empty an extra portrait, canvas and rug were added in fading into the space of the wall to create an imaginary dimension to the room. The colour palette was more extensive and I glazed the final layers of the painting using a linseed oil and oil paint mix (2:3 ratio).
The Conversation
A painful process of working and reworking to try to capture the nuances of this pose. The finished painting is quite thickly painted as a result. Oil on canvas, 16×20″.
Studies of Samuel
Clive – three studies
Three studies of Clive in different aspects. Charcoal on paper (42x30cm), oil on brown paper (16×11″) and oil on canvas 42×28″.
Portrait of Dr. Kaf Tay in the studio
“Kaf”, 16×20″, oil on canvas, 2014.