Original artwork description:

My small paintings, 'Carp 1' and its companion, 'Carp 2', are now available framed.

The paintings are in egg tempera and gold leaf on oak panels and each measures 16cm x 10cm unframed and 23.5cm x 17.5cm framed. The frames are made-to-measure wooden frames, which I have hand finished with layers of black and clear wax to complement to finish of the egg tempera paint. I find that commercial finishes tend to clash with the egg-shell sheen of egg tempera so I like to work on the frames myself, alongside the paintings, to get a perfect match. Both frames have fixings attached to the reverse so that they are ready to hang.

In these exquisite, small paintings, the fish are painted over gold leaf and the paint is then scratched through to reveal the leaf and create the scales. I have enjoyed exploring the vibrant play of orange against ultramarine blue and the just-glimpsed effect produced by the touches of gold in the scales as the light moves over them. The luminosity of the colours and the gold leaf is enhanced by the semi-matt, black frames.

The paintings are signed and dated on the reverse.

Materials used:

Oak panel, chalk gesso, egg yolk tempera, pigments, gold leaf

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