Carnival by John Penney

Wow! An ambitious piece of work, and very well done. However did you manage such detail using acrylic???

Very alive, can hear the noise from here!!

Many Thanks, On the fine detail issue - I've always found acrylic very good for detail - on specific technique - on a very complex painting like this the buildings etc are done as an empty "stage set" and the figures are added pretty late on - built up in detail from a white outline laid over the stage set painting layer - giving a good base for fine detail. The problem with this technique is that some really nice background painting inevitably gets painted over - heartbreaking ! I won't have decided on the exact "people component" of these paintings until I get to that stage - which is quite exciting -and definitely not a design process open to watercolourists.

Even busier more vibrant painting John, you did go to town on this one!, I have got to ask having got to your final painting in his gallery, how did that solo exhibition back in January 2010 go? And have you done anymore since?

Yes it's got everything but the metaphorical kitchen sink in that painting ! Great fun to paint. The composition itself is an incredible hotch potch of actual, and imaginery, Venice scenes.It was sold quite a few years ago now, as part of a single 5 painting deal as I recall. That particular solo exhibition, I think in a Library (?) got me quite a lot of local press coverage if I recall right - but no sales. I've had quite a few solos in libraries but my experience hasn't been positive for sales at these venues.Unfortunately the local gallery I used to exhibit in has closed down recently. These aren't good times for "luxury" goods sales like paintings, since the 2008 Crash . I sell most of my paintings (and the odd print) through my own and other online sites, and personal recommendations. Venice scenes always seem to sell well. That recent painting of mine "Romantic Venice" sold very quickly. Mind you its very unpredictable.. my "Rialto Reflections" recently sold to a bigtime lawyer in New York USA, but it had been for sale for about 3 years ! I've recently put all my prices up, as price doesn't seem to be a critical determinant of sales (within reason), and online sales via other than my own gallery incur a stonking 35% commission !