Bill ,Master Woodworker in Oil by John Hunter

This is a wonderful portrait. You really have captured Bill at his work, a job that you can see he really enjoys, The light coming from the windows is simply lovely. So very well done.

Thank you Jeannette. You were very quick to see my picture! I have only just put it up an hour or so before! This picture took some persuasion of the sitter, as he would not keep still and wanted to get back to his work on a nearbye saw bench. So photographs it was after all. The light source was a gift of chance when the sun came out from behind clouds. I like a good contrast! (As per Caravaggio! ). I still cannot train myself to the multi glazing technique though so my images are always overbold i.e. if not harsh. John R Hunter

Great painting

Yes I agree with the rest that is a great painting.

John. I am the same with oils. Glazing with acrylics is great because it dries so quickly. I am trying the Alkyd oils at the moment. You have given me food for though now - I shall try some glass! It is still a great painting.

Good painting. He really looks like he loves what he does. I have the same problems with the multi glazing technique and tend to paint a bit thicker. I am also trying the Alkyd oils and have had some success with them, they are worth a try.

Thank you for your comment John. I have started to relearn oil painting on landscape work in the Dutch old master style. However I am steeped in a la prima approach as I am eager to get on with the drawing side of things! I have some alkyds to try again and I am trying the water based oils. At the moment I am also using the new Australian Croma Interactive Atelier acrylics which atractive in their own right as a substitute for oil. I am not sure of it's glazing potential. John R Hunter

I like this John. You captured the essence of a man doing what he loves to do. I'm a woodworker too, and it is nice to 'belly-up' to the bench. But I still like my painting! Regards John

Thank you everyone for your kind comments . My People at Work series of paintings are for a one man show here on the Island when I have done enough to fill a Hall. 24 so far! None of this sort of work attract s my local Galleries which are either steeped in tradition of the NEAC greats or selling to local short term holiday visitor. It's a hard fact, but it does not matter to me as I do it as a hobby which I love. John R Hunter

A very satisfying gallery John and a fine body of work. Also, I know how you feel about the NEAC. Still, if we wish to sell our work, we have to look for exposure I suppose, and there aren't many better ways in the UK than to use the NEAC. They are having an open exhibition later this year btw. It's in London again though and I refuse to drive in London. So, 'handing-in' would be a problem and I won't bother exhibiting! :) Thanks for you nice comments John. I appreciate it. Thanks again John

Thanks for the tip about the NEAC open Exhibition. I will investigate. Handing in and attendant cost and trouble is a problem though I agree. Thanks John