This oil painting started life as a charcoal demonstration on greyboard to Blackpool Art Society. Its quite big at 89 x 64 cm and was a bit of an experiment. I gessoed a sheet of recycled greyboard to give a bit of tooth for the charcoal. Then, when happy with the charcoal drawing I fixed with fixative and gessoed once again. I also painted the back of the board with some old acrylic paint saved in tubs – this is to stop the greyboard warping. Then the charcoal drawing acted as an underpainting for the oils. A good experiment!
Marianne Birkby Gallery 