After the struggle of the self-portrait, I decided to pick an easier subject for my next painting. And then I chose this anyway… There are far too many circles, ellipses, and complex curves in steam engines!
Although this looks very tight at the moment, I think it has to be this way because it’s so important to get the drawing right. I’m hoping that the actual paintwork will be much looser, without losing the fundamental shapes.
The end of the line (work in progress!) Oil on canvas panel. 40 x 50 cms.
From a photo of two Stanier 8F locomotives, 48612 and 48533, at Newton Heath MPD on 21 July 1968.