The above sketch was done in about one hour using a wet into wet technique. No preliminary drawing was done. Although initially it looked chaotic to the group I was demonstrating to, I was, even at the earliest stage, planning and allowing for my highlights to be preserved. If things go wrong there is still the possibility of lifting out with a sponge or tissue.

The same approach was used in this sketch. Having established the position of the features I started to build up the depth of tone. At various points I dried the painting and went in with a dry brush technique, as in the eyes.

The above was a preliminary sketch I did for a more finished portrait. Again this was completed in less than an hour.

“Mary.”     A portrait in watercolours.

This more finished portrait took considerably longer, requiring as it did layer upon layer of transparent glazes to achieve the detail I wanted.

I find watercolour the most amazing medium and one which offers a luminosity and delicacy unrivalled by others.

In a later blog I will demonstrate a watercolour portrait from start to finish and will describe the materials, techniques and colour mixes I use.

This was only arrived at after various other alternatives had been considered.

Tony in his workshop

Whilst it was great fun to paint , this was not really a portrait suitable for the Company Boardroom.

Tony is also a passionate sailor, so I was taken on board his motor launch and given a trip along the Orwell. Fortunately, it was a calm day as I am no seafarer! This voyage resulted in the following sketch.

Tony at the helm.

One of the previous Chairmen, however, also had a nautical theme as background, so this alternative was rejected.

Finally, we decided on a Cambridge setting as Tony grew up there,went to University there and now lives there. Hence the idea of having his old College, Clare, as the backdrop. A couple of alternatives were considered.

Tony, with Clare College in the background.1

Also

Tony with Clare College in the background 2

This second version was chosen as the design for the finished portrait. Whilst indicating the Cambridge connection  the pose was also intentionally relaxed and casual. As such it was a good foil to previous portraits now hanging in the John Smedley Boardroom.

The finished portrait .

“Tony Langford, Chairman, John Smedley Ltd. ( 2003-9)

oils  38″x 30″

The advantages of gouache as a sketching medium.

It is water based and dries instantly but remains soluble if you wish to work back into it. You can paint with a thick impasto or using a wash technique. It is opaque so you can paint light over dark . As such it is a very forgiving medium. It is much underrated and is well worth experimenting with if you’ve never tried it before.

This will be  a drawing of Lavenham in Suffolk, with its beautiful old medieval buildings. At this first stage, I am simply getting the basic proportions and checking perspective. (It has to be said, however, that  some of these buildings seem to defy the normal rules!) When I am fairly happy with this , it is time to move on to working in ink.