Hampton Swan, 2025

While visiting Hampton Court Palace and its gardens, the swans presented themselves for my admiration. I have painted this majestic bird before, but their elegance and beauty always deserve another painting.

The rolled canvas board work consists of a Rowney Cryla acrylic base coat of burnt orange; then opaque pigments are used to lay down the undercoating for some of the subject matter. Subsequently, acrylic paint is used in washes that have been thinned on the fly using diluted Liquidex airbrush medium. This layering of the work allows for subtle tonal attributes that give depth and intensity. The overall result is an acrylic painting with a degree of luminosity rather than the usual flat acrylic finish.

A coat of Winsor & Newton Satin UV varnish finishes the work; this not only protects the painting but has a unifying effect. A suggested frame width of at least 50 mm is recommended for this 254 x 305 mm (10" x 12") painting. This makes for the best visual effect and prevents warping.