Year of Painting 2: Still Life

Over on the Painting Friends forum, the Year of Painting has reached month 2. The reference for this month was a still life set-up, and I decided to have a go in acrylics.

Acrylic, 10 by 14"

My version is much simplified from the reference photo - the original had a stripey tablecloth for a start (and that looked way too difficult!). I think I could have been braver with the colours in the white cloth, but I like the texture I managed to get (applying paint with a palette knife), and I like the overall feel of the finished painting.


It was fun to do, as always, and it's great to try out different approaches and subject matter. Though I do think that I prefer painting still lifes from life, rather than from a reference photo, so I'll have to make the effort and set some up I guess...

Portrait from life

Thought it was about time that I did some more drawing from life. My model today was happily sitting, minding his own business and watching the Formula One Grand Prix on the telly...

Charcoal and white pastel, on some kind of grey, fairly lightweight paper with a little bit of tooth to it.  I found it a bit of a struggle as the charcoal lifted off at any opportunity (ie me putting my big clumsy finger in the middle of it...)

Not the greatest likeness, it has to be said, but not too bad....

Size is about 13" by 17"