edging

Decision time now with the rest (tho face not finished yet):  painting the arms will happen, but what to do with the clothing and background:  tidy up but keep it sketch sienna, paint in flat blocks of colour (cf russian icon style), work up clothing in a similar but looser way than face and put a vista background (from Anzac Hill) behind like with a bunch of Renaissance portraits.  O decisions decisions.  Nice to have so many.

bit o colour

sometimes it takes fingerpainting

Still wasn't happy, so ended yesterday in the studio by pushing lights and darks around with fingers.  Loosened it up a bit and helped me look at the forest not the leaves on the trees.

 Still working with turps and a rag here:  thinning him down nicely!

 Happy with the tones and getting there with the not quite a smile.

lost and found

Still playing with the profile and the proportions, but slowly getting there.

Beginnings of Jim

 This is where I finished when the light went and the rain came on Monday:  happier with the chin and far eye, but still working on the near eye and background:  thought I wanted green, but it's not right, so it might be a 'paint it white' till I sort out the tones and colours of face and shirt, and then hope inspiration will strike.

 This is how I started:  thought I wanted a 3/4 portrait this time, and may indeed go back to it

And a little bit more on Bean.

eyes

Doing eyes:  second pic's a bit shiny as it was a late painting session again yesterday, so resorting to the trusty daylight bulb.  Looking forward to getting more of the half smile happening, so the eyes get a bit less frowny.

middle bits

Did a bit of a re-organise of the studio space this weekend:  looking at some still life painting, so moved the old 'bar' cabinet flush against the wall to give some space for lights, easel, etc.  An added bonus is the greater sense of space in general up here:   nice.