University Campus Suffolk has been great at offering a variety of opportunities but it was only recently I saw an email in my inbox that was impossible to ignore. In keeping with the series running on BBC One The Big Painting Challenge, BBC Radio Suffolk were looking for four artists to paint each of their presenters throughout the course of a day. I was given the drive time slot of 4pm until 7pm to paint Stephen Foster. Although this is separate to the work running up to my Degree Show, I have decided to document the experience whilst still fresh in my memory.
Recently I have worked from photos over a number of days but this challenge gave me a time constraint and the added bonus of having the subject in front of me. I met up with Jon Wright at Radio Suffolk a few days before the event to see the studios and discuss what would happen on the day. Immediately I began thinking about what paints to use and how I would go about mixing them. I eventually decided to use Water Mixable Oils as this meant no need for solvents. Always thinking of a Plan B or perhaps just indecisive, I made sure to bring two different size canvas’. I prepared my canvas with primer and a blue wash beforehand; I like to add blue underneath as a base colour under flesh tones. I also faintly drew a grid on the canvas. At home I made some sketches of Stephen from different angles to get try and memorize the shape of his face.
On the day I had a camera over one shoulder capturing my painting, people walking in and out of the studio and guests speaking to Stephen throughout. Stephen also spoke to me a few times while I was painting. Despite all of these goings on I found myself quite content. If anything, I was afraid to laugh while listening to the chatting back and forth forgetting it was not the radio in my art studio but live on air! I took a photo of Stephen so I could work from life and the photo. I decided to use a 12”x 16” canvas (the larger of the two) on a landscape format as this could include more of the surrounding studio details giving it more of a narrative. I would normally begin with pencil before picking up the brush but with this project I went straight in with a grey painted outline. I think my palette could have been darker and had I structured my allotted time better, I would have added more depth. I tried to capture Stephen’s cheeky expression as best I could and whilst listening to him talk I could get an idea of his character.
The work of the four artists, as captured by the time-lapse camera, was published by Radio Suffolk at the end of the day – click on this link Painting Challenge.
Taking part in The Painting Challenge has had an impact on how I go about my other paintings. I may try some more painting without the aid of a grid and more from life. It can be more challenging but at the same time, less constraining. The whole time aspect was a great reminder that although difficult it is possible and giving yourself a time limit adds an urgent and expressive feeling to the paint.
