New painting 'Ice Cream on a Cold Afternoon'

8' x 8'

oil on  board

I spotted this little boy eating ice cream, despite the wintry weather, one afternoon not long after the first day of Spring. You can see by the way everyone is wrapped up with scarves, hats and boots how cold it still was that afternoon, but kids don't seem to let a little thing like freezing cold weather put them off when it comes to ice cream!  I'm happy with the way the painting is progressing and should have it finished tomorrow. 

'In the Rain' finished

8" x 8"

oil on board

SOLD

All I needed to do to 'In the Rain' today was to finish the windows in the far building, redraw part of the umbrella and add a detail to the bag on the right and that was that! 
And now in answer to a request from Vic, a fellow blogger, here is an image of my studio in the roof complete with cat of course who, as I have mentioned in previous posts, is my ever faithful companion!

'In the Rain'

8" x 8"

oil on board

I spent yesterday moving back into my Ivory Tower...my studio space in the roof! I moved out last summer when my daughter and partner moved in with us whilst they looked for their own place and we needed the extra space. Somehow though I never seemed to get round to moving back...until now that is! And I'm very happy I'm here again! I have a lovely view from the window...I can even see Lincoln Cathedral on the horizon on a clear day. I painted 'In the Rain' this afternoon. There's not too much more to do so I should finish it tomorrow. 

'Jo' finally finished!

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

SOLD

I realised this afternoon when I looked again at portrait of 'Jo' that the angle of the mouth wasn't right and needed to be altered...and so she wasn't finished after all!! Repainting the mouth then led on to reworking the chin which led on to adjusting the side of the face and so on and so on and before I knew it the whole afternoon had gone!!! So here we are at the finishing post again, but I'm very happy with her now and she really is done this time I promise! And on that note I'd like to wish you all a very happy weekend! 

'Jo' finished...I think!

12" x 16"

oil on Stretched canvas

This is 'Jo' finished...at least I think so at this point! I worked on the painting this morning, then had to go out, then came back, took a photo which showed up a couple of adjustments that had to be made, made the adjustments and here we are...done! Well at least until tomorrow when I'll look at it again and decide for sure. Hope you've had a good day too!

'Jo' next stage

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

I could only spend a couple of hours this afternoon on 'Jo' but I managed to get quite a lot done. I think it's paid off doing the prep and making the preliminary drawings. I've been able to resolve certain drawing issues before I began painting, so it's helped me to capture a more accurate depiction quicker and, avoid getting to a 'wipe off' situation! I quite like the landscape format for portraits as it allows more space around the subject. 

'Jo' the painting!

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

I made a start on 'Jo' this afternoon using my drawing as a reference. I managed to bring it to this stage and I have to tell you it wasn't easy!...but I'm reasonably happy with it now. I have enough information on canvas to make a start on applying the colour. I liked the contrast of the figure against the surrounding area that I achieved in the drawing (previous blog post) and the way the edge at the back of the head was lost as it blended with the darkness behind. I'm going to attempt to retain that in the painted version.