This portrait was painted at a life workshop, using a painting knife. The aim in this particular life painting session was to paint a portrait using lots of texture and to have a prominent background. The background could either be realistic (the studio space you see behind the model) or invented (outwith the studio).
The photo shows my painting towards the end of the two-hour session. It's taken from further back than I was standing while painting, so the model's face is more silhouetted in the photo. When in a workshop I like to try to get a spot for my easel where I can step back easily to view my painting occasionally as I'm working, to pause and assess what I've been doing.
Once easels were set up, acrylic paint put out on white plastic palettes (from tubs of W&N Galeria), paper placed on boards, and the model was ready, it was time to start sketching the composition.
