Monday Washing Again.

Washing WIP (acrylic on canvas board)

Apocryphally, it takes three weeks to establish an activity as a habit, so back at Gateshead Art Society on Friday for the second week in a row, I felt I might be getting back into a routine. Of course, although I plan to be back there this coming Friday, it'll be the Xmas Party that day and no work will be done. So unless I can get some work done on this painting this week, the impetus may be lost.

On the other hand, I took it along to a meeting of the Painters' Group on Saturday and for the first time in a very long time, our tutor, Bill Varley pronounced my picture "good." As is often the case, he'd rather I did very little more to it and I'll probably not take his advice, but it was encouraging to get some praise.

Not yet the Siegfried Line

Washing WIP (acrylic on canvas board)

Back at Gateshead Art Society's Friday meeting, I find myself increasingly frustrated with my acrylics. Having rejigged the composition on this painting, I now find I can't easily cover up the construction lines. I'm guessing that this is simply due to a lack of sufficient pigment in the brands of acrylics I'm using. Perhaps I'll have to bite the bullet and pay for the more expensive Golden brand, but I've recently heard good reports of Jackson's own make. Anyone able to confirm?

I'm happier with this slight change in composition which reduces the problem of the buildings receding in perspective and the umpteen cars parked in the street at ground level. But I'm constantly tempted to resume the picture in oils because I'd have so much more confidence in making it work. That will not happen, however; I'm determined to master this medium.