Portrait #5 (Painting #42) "Lauren"

I've tried my hand at a portrait of my second granddaughter, Lauren. I didn't have many recent photos and so I cobbled it together from the two that I had.

It's not very good, but I'm learning. It's the first time I've tried to paint hair.

                       "Lauren"                      John Simlett
Acrylic on stretched Canvas
14 v 10 inches

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Here's Hoping Father Christmas Drops In On You!!

Portrait # 4 (Picture 41)

Onwards and Upwards. The fourth and next step in my quest to learn how to paint portraits (and how to paint).

This is the largest canvas yet.

                                       Geisha                         John Simlett
Acrylic on Canvas
24 x 18 inches (610 x 460 mm)

RIP 'Jimpie'

I was on Comet 2s with 'Jimpie' Hoad in the early 60s. 

His death leaves a massive loss. A very sad day.

From the Obituary

"HOAD – Air Vice Marshal Norman Edward CVO, CBE, AFC (Ret’d) said goodbye to us on Saturday 29th November 2014, aged 91.

He was not only a well known pilot, but a brilliant painter - member of the Guild of Aviation Artists.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Portrait #4 WIP

This is quite the biggest canvas I've painted on so far: 24 inches x 18 inches (610 x 457 mm).

I saw this photograph and just had to have a go at it.

I have painted all weekend, a luxury I've spent all year working towards. I hope to finish tomorrow.

Portrait #3

This is the 3rd Portrait I've attempted, and painting #40 since I first picked up a brush and covered the house, me and my clothes in paint.

This one is better than this photo, but, nevertheless

'In the Ring'                 John Simlett
Acrylic on Canvas  (14 inches x 10 inches)

I'm quite pleased with it.

 It's alla prima which is, as you know, difficult with acrylics which dry so quickly. As I go on I'm beginning to use mediums, water spray etc, which makes wet on wet with acrylics a bit easier.

   I'm also beginning to get my head around base mixes and glazes.

Probably try one of my lovely granddaughter, Lauren, next.

Portrait #2

Really disappointed with the photograph. My portrait of Anders Zorn might not be brilliant, but it's a whole lot better than

'Anders Zorn'                 John Simlett
Acrylic on Canvas  (14 inches x 10 inches)

the photo. Not that it matters that much.