Study WIP by leigh hammett

That is soooooooooo good, got the character in the face, and the contrasting background emphasises the face. The hair, the eyes, everything about this painting is lovely, you should be very proud

love the painting, the ruff stands out and so cleaverly done, well done you

Gorgeous oil portrait work in progress Leigh, coming along beautifully by the look of it

I have long had a desire to create for myself a history of portraits of distinguished antecedents who, so far as I know (and I think I do) didn't exist. This has rather awakened that desire - although I wasn't thinking of venturing much beyond the Victorian era: the glittering watch-chains appeal.... This would have been a great start, though; and - should you not have divined this already - I like it. Could I pretend that it's my distant relative, the Archduke? More seriously, have you used traditional techniques to create this? It looks as though you have - ie detailed underpainting, glazes, lead whites, etc. But it would be at least as interesting, if not more, if you have used more contemporary techniques to create it. Tell us more.....

Thanks guys much appreciated , Robert , you should have a go at an early piece like this as it give an artist many different challenges and history of the arts is my passion , i tend to use a method of building form but it is not a glazed product in respects of an underpainting , colours are adapted wet on wet in a gradual process , i have never really embraced a the underpainting technique its to long a process which can lead to many issues later in the painting but thank you also for such a wonderful comment