The same cup as in my last still life in oils but a different jug. I included more of the napkin this time as I find it challenging depicting the sense of the lace.
One thing that I discovered with this painting is that to include reflections of light on a white object is quite difficult.
I shall select a different cup for my next painting as I have just had a shopping expedition at the local antique centre and purchased a number of items that will keep me busy and inspired for a little while.

 

My first two oil still life paintings. They are quite small and presented quite a challenge for me.
The left hand one is an apostle jug the original of which is quite a bland grey colour, so I gave myself permission to add the influence of light in the tones. The green jug and cream cup are from different eras and, strictly speaking, would not have been used together in their respective eras. I found the shape of the cup handle a little difficult to get right but I am happy with the result. My next one will include the same cup but with a different jug. Watch this space! Assuming there is anyone reading this!!!!

 Two more watercolours in my 'Tea Garden' series. There are four to date in the series with at leas one more  planned when I find the right cup and saucer and flower.
My current work, is completing a number of miniature watercolours and small oils for a 'small works' exhibition in our home studio gallery. Being in a hot part of the sub tropics, we are calling it a 'Christmas in July' exhibition of small works.

The completed painting. Though not everyone likes the amount of detail that I put in my work, I am personally content with this painting in that it has the 'feel' of the rainforest that I was aiming for.
Next I shall continue to prepare for my oil still life and the next painting in my 'Tea Garden' series of watercolours.

The right hand side of the composition is now taking shape and will add more dimension to the work, I think.
I have also added a soft shadow to the base of the tree on the left foreground as I wanted to enhance the direction of the main light source.
I am contemplating adding a few large dark leaves at the extreme top left to 'throw back' the background even further. This is by no means a final decision, as I will decide right at the end if it will enhance the painting.

  Most of the right hand side of the painting will be dark, as the rainforest is more dense there, but I shall superimpose some very dark, larger leaves, over the top on the right hand side to 'throw back' the path section that is furthest away. The darker distance leaves will also be given a deeper perspective when this is done.

This photo does not show the edges of the painting as I didn't want to show the distortions due to the curve of the paper.
My method, when using Arches 640gsm paper, is to do the painting without first wetting the paper. This results in the effect that, whilst I work, the area that I am painting on shrinks a little, and the outside area does not. Once I have completed the work, I wet the reverse side of the paper with demineralised water, which causes an even shrinkage over the entire piece correcting the curves in the paper.
I have worked in this session just in the upper middle of the work.