Just a few more 'faces' added. I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge of this work, though there is some 'suffering' involved in its execution. I have been told by the lovely person in my household that I look for the faults and not the positives but this is only my quest for perfection in my learning. (My heart tells me that she is right maybe just a little!)

The 'Albergo Doni - Venezia" painting, framed and up on the wall of the client who purchased it who said that "It's meant to be here." I love the painting but am happy that it is in a home where it will be equally loved.

Adding figures to the background. They are a little distorted and very impressionistic but the light of the venue distorts somewhat. It is difficult to make them 'real' and not 'ghoul-like'! I'll keep working on them until I'm happy.

Just a quick update on the 'Off Broadway'
I am working on the background around the figure. I want the faces to be an impression but they need to be 'right' in appearance. The flesh tones are, of course, affected by the 'neon' lighting, which is good, as it gives me many 'liberties' with the tones that I can use. It is liberating and exciting at the same time as being a challenge.

I am still in the early stages of my oil painting based on the inside of a cafe off Broadway un New York. The singing waiter was terrific and should easily get a role in a Broadway production. He leapt between the tables to sing, as did other waiters and waitresses during the evening. The atmosphere was purely American with a capital A. It was thoroughly enjoyable made more so by the company we had. I am compelled to capture the atmosphere on canvas but to capture the 'neon' atmosphere is the challenge as well as making the figures believable. The other aspect is to paint the posters of other singers that adorned the wall on the balcony. I'll keep you posted!

A client has indicated that they want to buy my recently completed 'Albergo Doni, Venezia' painting but will wait until December for it to be varnished. The paint surface is quite thin and certainly not impasto and so should be dry enough to apply the varnish by the end of November. It will be going to an appreciative and artistically understanding home. Selling a painting is a bitter sweet experience as a little of the me is in each work that I do.
I have begun a new painting as a companion with my painting 'Reflections of a New York Diner W51st'. It is based on a diner/restaurant off Broadway where the waiters and waitresses sing in between taking and delivering your order. It was a fantastic experience and I was inspired to paint it because of the challenge of all the colour and 'neon'. The singing was breathtaking. The effect of the neon lights on the figures will present the biggest challenge. As most artists will know it is not easy to capture the quality of light with paint. I may try it in watercolour also as sketches. I have staerted the top right hand corner and finding it difficult to get the colour without the dulling caused when white paint is used. Using a transparent white may help but we shall see.

My painting of the reflections in the window of Bill's bar and Burger on W51st New York is now framed and ready to hang.