Monday 6 October 2008

The Secret's Out!



At last, I can reveal what I was working on for a few weeks off and on during August and September. Penny & Toby over at Natural Attrill recently acquired Des.....

...a rather lively kitten. This is about the best photograph of him they sent me, the rest were a blur of fur!

They asked me if I would paint his portrait on a wooden box for Laurence, Penny's husband, Toby's dad. So I did! This is how it turned out....

This is the top view - I added a long length of red yarn for him to play with.

Here is another side view...

Jasper was very interested in my photography and managed to sneak in shot when I wasn't paying attention!

Oh dear, someone came and made a hole in the box one night...........

...look, there he is, the little blighter!


Here he is in close up - painting him inside the corner of the box seemed such a good idea...until I put it into practice! Talk about having to be a contortionist! I lined the box with pure silk upholstery fabric, and cut a matching hole to make it look as if the mouse had tunnelled all the way through.

The whole thing was painted in acrylics - I did the background first with several layers of indanthrene blue and emerald green, each layer adding to the depth of colour. Then the cat and mouse were painted as if it were a proper portrait - again a bit of a struggle having the box either on my lap or jammed between my knees. I only despaired once, when I had to carry the picture on over the side and corner of the box as well as keeping the perspective of Des's back legs correct. It took ages but I got there in the end.

I was really very sad to see this go, I had become very attached to Des the painting, but I am so glad it has gone to a lovely home.

If anyone else wishes something similar done..............please can you wait until after Christmas!!

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow you are so talented Caroline! Brilliant work-Penny's hubbie must have ben delighted!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh wow, that's lovely! Fab Des and I love the mousey detail.

natural attrill said...

and it's absolutely fabulous in real life as well! THANK YOU.

I highly recommend Caroline's boxes to anyone thinking of a special xmas present.

P.x

Anonymous said...

Caroline,
Beautiful box, I can understand why you have become so attached to it. I love the little mouse too! Great attention to detail.
Best wishes
Sarah

natural attrill said...

woops! I was just showing Laurence your blog, and read the post again, realising that you said commissions after xmas, and i have been saying to everyone, get one for xmas! - sorry Caroline.
P.x

natural attrill said...

Thanks Caroline, Dad really likes it!(it is now his sweets chest!! lol:)
Toby.

Caroline B said...

Yes Penny, much as I would love to oblige and paint more of these for Xmas presents, I really don't think I can squeeze any more work in just at the moment. Wow, never had to say that before in my life!!

Sallie said...

OMG! Caroline, this box is incredible! Absolutely stunning! You are sooooooo talented.

Laura Sparling said...

You never fail to amaze me, Caroline. The box is just amazing! I love the little mouse. Awesome!

Gretel said...

That is utterly delightful and so clever, (and a welcome change from potatos, I'll bet).

Thank you for confiming the sea urchin, I feel better about picking up random stones now I know it really is 'something'

Janine - Pretty Vintage Tea Party said...

Wow! I am amazed by this box it's so great! Love the little mouse and the attention to detail!

Janine x