Amanda's Musings

After struggling to get out the oil paints for a couple of weeks, I forced myself to keep pressing ahead with it last night. Its not that I don’t enjoy it, its all the getting things out and having to pack them up again afterwards that is a hassle.

I decided I would focus on one thing, finishing off the seed pod studies I’d been working on earlier. Making smaller goals is a good way of achieving them I think!

I took this earlier prepared tiny canvas:

and decided to change its original colour from cadmium red to French ultramarine blue. I also added seeds to the top left seed pod (which was originally closed).

I was unable to get a straight on shot with these just yet because they are wet and reflected badly (it was night time so no natural light). Anyway, I’m quite pleased with the blue version, it looks more finished to me which speaks volumes for the under-painting technique. It took less time as all the white space was already filled (most).

I was about to pack up when I thought I would prepare a canvas for next time using this same technique so brushed on a bit of burnt sienna which had been ‘watered down’ with linseed oil and started rubbing it back with a rag. As I did I realised that the form of a head and shoulder was there as a result of the wiping (a happy accident) so started putting a few basic shapes in place. I’m hoping to build on this with some lovely skin tones at my next painting session. Oh happy painting days!