Portrait commission - gulp

Last Autumn I enjoyed catching up with a work colleague I hadn't seen in about 8 years. We had so much news to share and our lives (and careers) had taken on very different angles since our Tesco's days. Lou saw some of my oil portraits and mentioned about perhaps painting her children. I didn't feel ready for anything like that as I still felt I had so much to learn. Today though, it's another matter. Last night I put my Jimmy Carr portrait on facebook with a comment 'Who shall I paint next.....' Lou promptly answered, reminding me of her sons. Consequently I arranged to call at her house later in the week to pick up some photos. But I actually couldn't wait that long, so, with a spare couple of hours, I lifted some images from her facebook profile and made a start. I've emailed her the early stages and I'm delighted to receive the reply 'Oh my God, that's brill'. Let's hope I can keep up the standard.

Even more portrait painting - and lovin' it

Firstly, a very happy Valentine's Day to all you romantics out there. I hope you are getting suitably spoiled with flowers and chocolates. My Valentine's treat was a Peter Gabriel concert on DVD. I have the gig on video - but haven't had a video player in the house for ages now. We enjoyed watching the show last night (with chocolate) and I'm very much looking forward to seeing him in the flesh next month. As long as he plays 'In Your Eyes' and 'Biko' I'll be a happy bunny. Alan and Tris have been busy in the garden, with Tris cutting my trees back to a more manageable height and Alan burning the cuttings and other garden rubbish. I've been working some more on our comedian friend in the warm. It's getting pretty near completion now with just a few tickles here and there. Finally, his teeth and tongue are in.

More portrait painting

We've suffered 3 days of snow and ice but this morning the last traces of it have gone. It's been very hairy walking across my patio to the studio and storage areas at times. But, if nothing else, I've been enjoying picking away at my portrait project in the warm whenever I can. I've been getting a lot of feedback on the work as Alan, both daughters and their boyfriends' have seen this take shape from blank canvas stage. I've had Valerie Stewart to keep me company as I paint, to remind me of a few things. But.......I do find I'm watching less and less of her DVD now. I hope that means I've followed it enough to just get on with it. Later today I will be working the mouth, tongue and teeth area and I will have to pull out Valerie's DVD that specifically covers that area. If you'd like to paint along with a virtual Valerie, you'll find her DVD's HERE, starting at just £16 delivered to your door. She shows how to mix the various paint colours and how to create portraits using just 5 brushes. These products can be found HERE, starting at just £17.50 for a complete brush set. And of course, if you'd like to paint along with Valerie in person, she'll be teaching a seminar in Capel St Mary in June. Details of the workshops can be found HERE