Painting

Getting a horse to sit for a 3 hour session is a challenge.

1972 Triumph Spitfire, languishing. From photo reference, though if it isn’t obvious I did faff about with the background on this one. Largely unsuccessful I think, as it ended up looking like a toy car in front of a studio backdrop or something. Due its dodgy overdrive, Lucas electrics, and its owner no doubt screwing around with the Stromberg carb, it probably ends up as an undriveable prop anyway. Pretty, though.

My first foray into pet portraiture….people really (like, really) enjoy having their pets captured in traditional media. This is the sweetest (and quietest) this little hellion has ever looked. From photo reference.

20 min. color study, 5x7, from photo reference. In preparation for a painting, I do smaller ‘thumbnail’ pictures to figure out the colors to be used in the larger pieces. I try to limit these studies to 20 minutes or so, mixing colors on the fly. This is a great discipline for focusing your attention on the most important parts of the piece, sharpening observation skills, and avoiding noodling. Paint tends to get absolutely everywhere though.

Honda S800, 1969 I think. Great little hi-revving sports car with all the charm of the British roadsters of the era, minus the poor build quality and catastrophic electrics. 6 hour study, from photo reference.