A place to rest

Last week I mentioned that I had several pieces in Skyeworks  HOME TO THE HILLS charity exhibition.

well in addition to my moonlight and hares, the above piece has sold too!

moonlight and hares

The idea for the little ginger tom came from a sketch I found in an old portfolio from my art college days (many moons ago! ) It was an ink drawing of my adorable ginger tom cat named Stan.

He was the sweetest of cats. Although not the smartest of felines he was gentle and kind.

'stan' pen and ink

I used his sleeping pose as a start for my composition. Stan is rather famous now as he featured in one of my older pieces made for my mother featuring all her cats. They were of not alive at the same time but I thought it would be fun to group them together.

four very fine cats

Anyway this is how my 'Place to rest' collage began.

Using black gesso covered bits and pieces.

Intensified some areas of colour. and added more papers.

Blended and sanded the paper layers adding detail with white fine-line pen.

Used some fine line texture paint to make the foliage and crackle glaze over his face.

I thought he looked better awake than asleep.

Finally a liberal sprinkling of gold flakes which contrast beautifully with the rich reds.

linking to paint party friday