Nearly there

I changed the background! I took a long hard look at the painting and decided the earthy colours didn’t feel right. I am much happier with the new design.
The cooler colour scheme on the background has made Evie come forward and I think the painting now has a more modern impression.
I have some more touching up to do on the face and add a few highlights. I would like to soften the back of the chair a little too as I want it to go further back. Another couple of hours and I think it will be finished.

The painting is beginning to come to life now. The face is looking more refined and I have brought in more of the background colours and filled in some detail on the chair.
I’ve added more colour shapes into the hair and kept most of the detail on the blouse quite loose so as not to draw attention from the face.
I’ve had some fun with the embroidery detail on the right cuff though, adding some of the highlights to try and bring the arm forward.
Its really looking like Evie now.

While applying the detailed work on Evie's face I've had time to consider the colouring for the rest of the painting. The pink blouse will work well as I will have the opportunity to use an inherited tube of magenta paint I've had for years.
I also feel, knowing Evie as I do - I can't possibly do a portrait of her with out putting some 'green' in the picture somewhere. She has beautiful blond hair and in the summer months - due to the fact she is such a water baby - her hair does tend to take on a bit of green tinge from the swimming pool. Green is in fact the opposite colour to magenta so the two are complimentary colours. This should help me with the design of the background.

The family is away this week so I've moved all my gear into the house. I have much better light here than in my studio and I can get on with some serious brush miles.

I know I will have my work cut out to make sure I get a good likeness with this portrait, so I've dived streight in with some underlying colours and immediately begin work on the eyes.
I need to reflect some of the colour from the blouse into her face so I,m making sure I add plenty of pinks and reds. This will also help keep an overall warm balance.

Well I’m going for this one.

I have made a start in oil paint on a pre coloured cotton canvas. I have sketched out a rough outline of the portrait to show me where the dark shapes will be and help me see how the image will sit on the canvas.

I began the process of picking an image to work from. I have done some thumbnail sketches with pen, sanguine and pencil to try out some of my short listed images.

Each day I look at all these shots I seem to see a different picture jump out at me and demand to be the one to paint.

Evie

Well I’ve done it again, instead of sticking to one pose and trying to get the expression I needed. I have ended up with about 8 poses and over 150 photos to choose from.

Well, Evie is a lovely young girl and once she had relaxed I think she quite enjoyed the photo shoot.

I’ve put my monocle on it as I am happy it’s finished. I will now put it aside for a few weeks to let the paint dry.

Third day. I’ve lived with the painting for a few days now. I put it aside and did something else. I often do this as it helps me come back to the painting with fresh eyes and mind.

Final session. I felt the picture needed something up on the top right to balance the image on the canvas. I used dark Prussian with black to put in the details of the mane. I did more work to the neck to bulk it out and softened the contrast on the bridle fringe.

I’m keen to see how many edges I can soften into the background and still get away with it. I love playing with this technique as I think it really adds to the three dimensional effect and helps to harmonise the picture.

I put in the bridle fringe on the front of the head. It’s come out more sharp than I had intended, I may wait a few days until the paint has dried, then I can add some colour glaze over the top to soften it a little.

I’m pleased with all the straps and buckles – I’m sure all these bits and bobs have names, I’ll have to find out more about them so I’ve less chance of missing out something important.

I’m going to do some more to the neck as I want to show the full glory of that huge muscle and emphasise that cocked head. The bridge of the nose needs some work too, I think I need to distinguish it from the background more.

Day two. The pace of work has slowed considerably. I’m spending more time standing back and studying the balance of things. I had my fun on day one - I now have to think.

I’m trying to keep the focal point to the front of the head – into the light, but at the same time not fuss too much over the detail.