After a cold blustery run

Painted from life in my very cold studio in January, as part of the 2023 Strada Easel Challenge . I recorded much of the process in videos, shared below. I like the sewing machine, an indication that my studio is a shared family space. Also the slant of the bathroom mirror, which causes the slant in the reflected shelves, and some foreshortening of my figure. It was quite surreal to be painting my hand.

This self portrait also qualified me to compete on Sky Arts Portrait Artist Of The Year 2023 (which will be screened in Autumn)

Day 1 - composition sketch

Day 2 - first marks and short demo

Day 3 blocked in progress shots

Day 4 - adjusting figure proportions, adding ‘cheeky phallic brush’, etc

Day 5 - Nearly finished, see comments for consultation of the audience about whether to include the brushes in the foreground jar

Day 6 - adding in the paintbrushes, a bonus still life in the foreground!