slow but steady

Today was a bit tiring, and there was not so much time for the watercolour tonight. A little bit of progress, but not as much as I would have liked. I came close to losing the likeness on the seated figure while working on her eye make-up, but I think I have saved it. There is more work to do around the eyes of both women. I need to bring back the smile of the younger woman which disappeared in the last wash, and add the details of the eyes once the flesh tones have dried.

I am working in variable light conditions and must walk away in that "betwixt and between" stage when it is not quite time for the artificial light but the natural light is too fickle.

Today I am grateful for steady balance on the ladder.

day two after painting walls

The shift from sponging walls to look like marble during the day to painting a watercolour in the evening is a big jump but a welcome change as well. Here is the next stage. I am blocking in colour to get some depth, then I will work more on the mirror images. There is a cabinet of china to go in the background later. This photo was taken with only the light of a lamp and I quite like the effect. Perhaps I will use this as a reference for final washes.

Today I am grateful for my midday dinner (thanks Franca).

gently does it

As promised, to keep me honest, the first stages of the double portrait. It has taken me a while to get the correct mirror images, best angles and composition sorted, but I think I have got it now.

I am working from photographs which I have reversed to give the mirror image which is what the portrait is about. Getting the relative positions of mother and daughter, along with the hairdresser standing behind the bride (he will be in the picture but out of the mirror), almost did my head in. If they are looking in at this angle, they should be looking out at ? angle... and on it went. By comparison the relatively complicated background should seem simple!
I am not sketching too much background or foreground in yet; should I happen to lose a likeness I don't want to waste hours of measuring and drawing.

Today I am grateful for this wonderfully mild October weather.

don't they know?

You would think that by October the mosquitoes would have had enough and gone away. But no... our long and pleasant summer has kept the beastly little blighters happily stalking my sweet and juicy flesh. Aaargh...........!

This afternoon has been "wonder-woman clean-up day" as the Saturday morning clean-up gave way to a fun-filled and very social visit to where some Kiwi soldiers rested for two months in the January and February of 1944.

I am beginning to explore Italy a little, pian piano...

The leaves on the large plane trees in the main piazza are just beginning to turn. It takes me back to 2007 when I painted them so hastily for an exhibition before I returned to NZ for a few months. It all seems so long ago!

Today I am grateful for people who "follow through" and keep their promises.

testing colours

Yesterday: testing colours and simplifying the original designs.

Today: it has been a long, tiring but happy day; driving, translating, meeting new people, and a lot of laughter.

Today I am grateful for a warm welcome in another province.

multi-tasking

The weather has been cooler and a bit damp today. My tape isn't sticking to the stone and stucco, so I came home after an hour and got back to the double portrait that I talked about... how long ago? It is still at the drawing stage, but as the recipient will leave the USA for Italy this coming week the pressure is on!

It is "loose ends" time again!

Today I am grateful for sharp scissors.

changing faces

It is much quieter at the workplace these days. There are only five of us there most days, unless there is a delivery or a new development in another part of the building. I miss my southern friends, their concern for my safety and comfort on the scaffolding, the endless cups of coffee, the excuses to come and visit the only woman on the site. I even miss the delightful young hopeful who wanted his portrait painted, but as he had no money offered me the use of his body as payment... and when I said that my portraits were expensive he assured me that I could keep him for the WHOLE of the night! He seemed to think he would be worth the fee...

The new workers are doing more specialised tasks, seem to be better educated, and are far more respectful. It's nice, a lovely work environment, but not quite as entertaining!

Work is progressing faster now that we have agreed on the colours and form. The next few days should make quite a difference, but then it is back up the scaffolding and more straight lines. I can't say that I am looking forward to it, terra firma and freehand suits me for now.

The landscape that is the next task is beginning to eat away at me.

Today I am grateful for laughter and frank discussion.