Continuing on from last week, when I showed you the charcoal sketch (see above) which I would be transposing onto an A2canvas. As I am going to take you through that process I thought it would help to include it here as this is the pose I shall continue to work from.

First, I held my charcoal sketch face-first against a window, and drew roughly around the outline with a sanguine-coloured pastel. This was because the original sketch was on paper too thick to see through, and the window acts as a light box.

My apologies, but I missed taking a photo of the thin pastel outline I’d imprinted on the canvas.

I lay the charcoal sketch, face up, on top of the canvas and drew through the charcoal with a B pencil. It produced a faint line in pastel. The idea being that line would be eventually masked by the paint.

It took me ages to set up my gear as I’d accidentally left the oil medium and my larger paint brushes at home!! So, using a smaller brush than desired, I decided to mark some colour for the background anyway, popping in lines for a non-existent window, and the sweep of cloth, which I intend to look like velvet when finished. In reality there is a faded red sheet pinned on the wall, but I do like a bit of fiction, as some of you may know. Whoops, noticed I’d misjudged a line with the leg/cushion and seat on the painted version. Will get onto that. Just two more weeks to go.

Other students were sketching away, and not yet ready to take the next step to painting. I decided that I would take my canvas home and continuing working seeing I really wanted that larger brush and oil medium. At this point the poor model announced she was cold, and the heating system inadequate. The tutor said he’d sort it for the following week, and asked if she would mind wearing her gown and we’d finish with a shorter pose. I grabbed more paper and a hearty 6B pencil. I went for it as you can see and really enjoyed the freedom of a 5min sketch.

More to come.