Painting Stages (please press Ctrl – and + to adjust zoom on full size images)

I took this video while passing in a car.

I decided to keep the background minimal to enhance the presence of the carpis tree and the ice cream subjects in the foreground.

I am favouring this composition as it feels the most balanced.

I am favouring a paired down picture with a simplified background.

For the base coat I use a paint mix of mostly white, a dot of cobalt blue and burnt sienna.

I add darker paint (blue/brown) to the base coat mix.

I gradually darken the paint mix with blue and brown paint and I adjust the details.

I adjust the tones and detail.

Cadmium red gradated through crimson alizarin towards the highlights.

Builing up the colours from dark to light.

Building up the colours from dark to light.

The ice cream transaction comes to life.

I always take time to observe my work from a reasonable distance inbetween stages.

Building up from dark to light.

Continuing to build up from dark to light.

The sky is mostly white.

Building up the ground from dark to light.

I have left the light bulb cases (the finest details) until the end.

The video reference helps me to observe the subtle details.

I used the sky colours to give definition to the leaves on the carpis.

I mix up the colour for my signature from paints I have used elsewhere in the painting.

Ice Cream Break on the Kuwaiti Corniche,2009 acrylic on canvas, 40cm x 40cm