A burst of activity... something new.

Around this time of year, when I am usually a little more relaxed after the obligatory Christmas break, I usually start "mucking around".  This is the time when half finished painting that just didn't quite work start littering the studio floor.  Usually because I have tried some new technique that is outside my usual comfort zone... This is the time of year where I tend to stretch myself.

This January was no different, although this time I had a penchant for portraits.. I won't post all the disasters (there were a few), but I thought I would post some of the more interesting paintings to come from this time of experimentation.

Firstly, I was reading a book on watercolor portraits by Alex Powers.  I like his technique and thought I would try and reproduce in Oils.  To make oils behave like watercolors you have two main problems.  Firstly, you have to emulate the wet in wet technique common with watercolors, and secondly, you are pretty much restricted to transparent colors and there aren't too many in a normal oil painters palette.  To solve the first problem I used a medium of 50/50 gum turpentine and Damar varnish.. It had the added benefit of drying quickly, and being able to be reworked using pure gum turps.

This is the result... I hope you like it.

The second painting using this technique didn't work out near as well, but was OK all the same... Compare the difference

I think the main difference was my use of whitespace.. In the second painting I slipped back to my usual style a little too much.

Have a great day
Pete