Maverick step 2

I worked another couple of hours on this but I'm really struggling. I waited to get a set of professional paints that I thought would be so much better but I'm gradually getting out my older ones. The new ones are too transparent (the pencil marks show through), I'm having trouble mixing the colours I want because they are pigments I'm not used to,  and they are so creamy that they can't be layered because the new layer lifts the first one. I'll have to let each layer dry much longer between. So it's back to my usual paints until I have time to do small studies and see if I can use them at all.

Maverick step 1

Today I started a portrait of my third grandson. It's 8 x 10 and in oils. I'm also using some new oil paints which are thinner than what I am used to so I can't layer them like I'm used to. I'll have to leave a day to dry between layers. So new painting, new paints and new technique. Lots to get used to.

Yes, it’s final

I decided I like the blue shirt so I cleaned up the brush strokes in the background and made sure the edges were painted and it just has to dry. Tomorrow I’ll be starting the drawing for my youngest grandson. I got the cradle board gessoed today so it will be ready to draw on.

Step 10 Final?

Today I changed the shirt to a dark blue colour. I'm not sure if I'll leave it that dark or if I'll lighten it to look more like denim. I'll think on it overnight and get a better look with fresh eyes tomorrow. I worked on the couple of little things that were bothering me in the face and I think the head is finished.

shirt colour fail?

I should have posted this step 9 yesterday but forgot. I finished the head except for a few corrections to go and I started painting the shirt the colour in the reference image. However, I don't like the colour. I want something richer and cosy looking. I'll correct it next session because it is easy to do with oils. If this was watercolour I wouldn't be able to as easily. The photo looks a little strange because I was using photoshop to trial a blue colour shirt. The painting doesn't have the blue in real life.

Matteo step 8

After today's session the face is almost finished. I am still working on thh hair and want to get that finished befoe  start on the shirt. Sorry for the tilt in the photo. I was trying to avoid the glare of the lights.

Matteo step 7

Another couple of hours work and I've finished the underpainting on the hair. The face was still too wet to work on the shading. There is a little glare from the lights on this. I'll have to be more careful when taking a photo.