Mr Hardie

A very powerful portrait Robert, this way of painting is working for you.

This is a powerful portrait painting Robert that steady gaze is a bit unnerving! I am no expert as regards technique in either oils or acrylics but the method you have used has certainly worked splendidly here.

Great portrait Robert superb colour and application superb

Thank 'ee kindly. I know what you mean about the unnerving gaze, Christine: I began to feel he was glaring at me .... my oil sketch has his eyes averted, when I get round to glazing it I'll post it. I should say that I didn't use terre verte in the acrylic, because so far as I know you can't get it - what I should have used instead was probably oxide of chromium, a similarly low-pigmented green; in the event, though, I didn't - I mixed a green and dulled it down, before adding the coloured glazes and white. I'm quite a fan of glazing: it adds layers of interest - but you've got to be careful, because it can also dull colour if used clumsily. I feel a long glazing kick coming over me, though! It also works with landscape.........

Well he looks quite a dapper chappie here Robert - I read that he was quite particular in his style of dress. Good to see the final result after the WIPs.

A great portrait Robert. It will be interesting to compare this with the oil version when it's finished.

Lovely portrait, he has a kind face and his own style of dress.

He was well-known for his distinctive style - achieved against a background of fairly consistent poverty. I loved his hats.... but these are surface details of course .... the man fought all his life against oppression, and what killed him was the strain of trying, unsuccessfully, to avert the first World War, which brought him to despair. He was accused of a lack of patriotism, thus proving that so many working people had learned absolutely nothing. It seems Hermann Goering was right: play the patriot card and you can't lose.

A striking portrait Robert.

The technique has worked so well and I have enjoyed the outcome having been following progress in the forum. It has certainly made me want to add to my knowledge of the man and will be looking for a suitable book on his life.

Lots of character in this portrait. Good palette in his complexion, his watery eyes tell many stories. Also I like how you have captured his white hair and beard

You paint portraits as you draw them Robert. Good likeness. Not sure about the halo ! lol.

Halo? Foolish girl! I see no halo - mind you, a) he deserved one, b) the background is a bit roughly blocked in. Trust you to notice.... Thanks to all for latest comments. Have been struggling to update my website today - a friend came to my rescue and hours of work later managed to upload to the server (this is what you get when you don't upload your site frequently - and change computers); now he REALLY deserves a halo. Step forward for sainthood Mr Barry Fitzgerald (no, not the actor).

A lovely portrait Robert. Interesting comments on the glazing. Glazing always seems to take away some brightness, which when doing a portrait should be allowed for,or so I found. This work in acrylic is really good and I look forward to the comparison in oils.