Self-portrait

My son has asked for my self-portrait done from life and not a photo for Christmas. This is a toughy as I have to decide what I want to reveal about myself. The bullet points above are my daughter R's considered repose to the first small sketch I attempted. Sigh ...

Into the Darkness, Swinford Toll Bridge

I finished this with oil pastels. I find the texture and movement put down with oil paint very interesting but the small size of the canvas stopped me from getting into the detail. Good or bad? I need time before I can decide.

This and That

Janus is finished. I kept it very graphic which made it the easiest painting. I enjoy mythology which is why it is a reoccurring theme in my paintings. The "tunnel" or "flames" he is walking through is my opening front door.




Dryad is still not right and I have yet again painted out her left arm and hand. When I painted out M I did not hide the repainting of the image. I like the idea of the 'process' showing on the ... eventually ... finished picture. So I struggle on well out of my comfort zone.





I am trying not to get bogged down in detail with Darkness. I do keep forgetting!!!!

Work in progress

This oil sketch is a continuance of the work started with the little postcard watercolours. It is a small canvas 30.5 x 22.5 cms. I am being bold with placing paint as I do not want to get caught up in detail but concentrate on getting the desired atmosphere. The dark side of the Swinford Toll Bridge has a different feel so I am trying to transfer it to ... almost another world!



I have now started the oil version of Janus. this needs at least a week's rest now to allow the paint to become touch dry.