Button teapot

I have had so much fun with this painting.

All those spots of colour for the buttons on the teapot have been fun to mix and paint.

I had to take my time and layer them up bit by bit. It was very time-consuming but I got all caught up on The Archers and all the Afternoon Play’s not to mention the Classic Serial and the Saturday Play!

Did I ever tell you that I work best when listening to some kind of dialogue on the radio like a play or podcast. Something that I don’t have to remember later because although I am listening I’m not taking it in, it just serves to stop me thinking too consciously about what my hand is doing with the paintbrush. It helps me be more instinctive. Am I a funny creature or do you find the same?

 Here she is in all her finished glory and I’ve put her for sale here.

Button Teapot Sept 2011 © Claire Leggett

Buttons ‘n stuff

Last Christmas I was given this button teapot and apart from making a great brew it looks good too.

I also struck lucky at the car boot sale recently in finding these vintage Sylko threads.

Then one idea spurred another on and after rummaging further through my Nan’s sewing box, I found a lovely ornate pair of scissors and an old tape measure. And that’s how this still life came about.

I thought you might like to see the process photo’s. This is my under-painting of the shadows and it’s this that gives the objects form before the patterns go on top. It looks rather ghostly!

And here it is with the patterned background painted in. I love this piece of grey wrapping paper and have used it loads. It’s just the right colour and density of pattern and so it often works just right.

And of course you can’t beat a lovely medium weight, slightly rough water-colour paper to absorb all that paint and water that has been sloshed about.

So good, so far. All the enjoyable coloured details next. Lots of colours to mix up for those buttons. Lu came home and decided to take a picture of me hard at it and as it was relatively flattering I thought I’d include it here. Back with the finished piece soon I hope. And I hope I’ll still be smiling!