Charlie. Another small portrait

Here’s a new, small portrait that was painted alla prima style over a few short ad-hoc sessions. These are poor quality phone pics unfortunately, and the actual painting does have much greater subtlety in colour and brushwork.

I used another of my new gesso panels from Zecchi. These are completely unlike the previous panels I bought, in that these are true gesso, with a bit of a tooth and are quite absorbent. They definitely alter the way in which I put paint down and I’m still working out the amount of medium (if any) works best. Certainly the brush can drag a little, but then, a texture can build up that is more unusual and less slick. I quite like this, but haven’t got it working just how I want it to yet. Still, the likeness and characterisation of the model and pose are good. It has been a project worth sticking with and I’m generally pleased with the outcome.