A square cow

Loose copy of a “square” cow. Farmers didn’t have photographs of their animals so they often had portraits painted to show how much flesh the animals had. This led to distorted images with massive, square bodies and small heads and legs! I’ve seen paintings like this in old pubs in the countryside.

It’s a small acrylic on canvas covered board. I’m helping a group create some paintings about the witch Molly Leigh and they wanted pictures linked with the countryside and farming. I’m doing more. I’ve also done a square pig!

Paints

What paint to use on scenery? It would be cheaper to use emulsion paint, but the tins are too big for the Mystery Play job as we only have a few pieces of scenery to paint, so I got out my trusty acrylic tubes. The palettes are a bit of a mess, but I have to admit I like peeling the paint off to see what the back of the paint looks like (shiny and smooth, multicoloured).

More to do, tired…

Paint, wrapped..

My pallette wrapped in cling film. I did a bit more on my painting today but my arms are aching and I want a rest. If you wrap your acrylic paint up to keep the moisture in it will stay soft and you can carry on using it. It saves wasting it. This is a trick I didn’t really know about until a while ago, I’ve always let my paints dry on the pallette so I’m glad I learnt about this x

My friends dog


Just did this quick sketch of Bear, my friends dog.
The picture is only small. Black and grey ink and a bit of acrylic paint because the fine line black ink was too dark. I hope I’ve made her coat look white enough.

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was animal or pet so this is what I’m going to post. I hope my friend doesn’t mind.

Using monoprint

Ten minute sketch using cut out monoprint

The monoprint was made by rubbing paper onto black paint brushed onto silver foil and then scratched through a bit. I then cut out a shape to fit to the shape of the woman body and arm, side of the face and hair, (basically the shaded side of her face and body). This was a bit nerve wracking as I only had ten minutes to do the cutting out, sticking, and drawing the rest of the portrait. I used the monoprint from a stock of them I’d made already.

Galaxy

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was Space. It is a favourite subject. I love the Sky at Night Programme on the BBC. I’ve tried to paint the Whirlpool galaxy, using Arteza metallic watercolours and some black and white acrylic. A bit splodgy but the detail on the photo was overwhelming.