I’ve been meaning to do a post on the development of a painting, showing my process of work, as I get asked about it all the time.
 So, here is DAY ONE of a new painting.
I start by making the canvas – about 3 foot by 2  and then I do a pale colour wash called a ‘ground’. On top of this I sketch out, in a very thin red oil paint the basic composition of the painting. It is CRUCIAL to get this absolutely right, as it saves heart ache, and much frustration at a later stage.

Next, I start blocking in the main areas of colour.

And then filling in the cows…with some help from my studio assistant!

That is the first days work…a long day, as I’ve been part of the Henley Arts Trail, which has seen a steady stream of visitors to the studio.