The starting point was a mid tone green. I had the thought that this would work well under the skin tones. The painting was drawn using a grid and a reference print of a photo.
I put down a tonal wash, very traditional, but to be honest this was just to get the image a bit more fixed as the pencil was pale and had a tendency to rub off.
After painting in a bit of the ground I started on the woolly cardigan. I did end up painting over this though after I had completed the background as I wasn't happy with it. I painted it darker than the heather coloured cardigan in the picture as I think of my mum as much warmer colours than this.
I enjoyed painting in the eggcups but the woolly texture was a bit of a bugger. First the blanket and then, after tackling the cardigan for the second time, at least the woolly scarf flowed a lot easier.
The hands in the reference pic were a bit nondescript as I had to zoom in to get the pic in the first place so not the clearest reference but did them before tackling the face.
Today on the home straight I painted face and hair.........and the final painting!. I have been painting like mad to get it finished in time for assessment. I realised this wasn't necessary but the thought of starting back at college and still being faced with this was not a thought I relished so it was going to be finished today no matter what! If it was at home I know I would fiddle with it more, but that's it!.......on with the new!
Have I learned anything?,....yes: If I paint a portrait, make sure they are not attired in a sheep's worth of woolly texture.
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