Oil on hand-cut Belgian linen panel.
 
14" x 12" (35.6cm x 30.6cm).
 
This painting of the actor, Rea, was completed from life over approximately eight sittings. The layers of paint from each sitting, and the development of the painting, can be seen in the collage of pictures. See how the shapes before more refined, and the colours more complex and subtle as the work progressed.
 
Much of Rea's face was in the shadow; but the soft, north lighting meant that even the side not facing the light is remarkably luminous. See how the colour in her cheek and forehead shifts from warm peach to cool green as it moves from right to left into the shade. The warmth of the hair was created primarily with mixtures of transparent red oxide. Also look for the soft moment of reflected light bouncing onto the underside of her chin up from her neck and torso.
 
The balance of cool and warm is Maddy's favourite element of this paitning.