Happy Accidents

Bursting to paint but with practicalities holding me back, I've been making some small pastel studies from the photos I've taken in Skye.

Whilst waiting for the fixative to dry I went upstairs to print something on the computer and thought I'd bring down with me this troublesome picture which "isn't really me", although it would be if it was much bigger and more dramatic... What could I do with it? The plan was to take a photo and ask a good friend for impartial advice.

My pastels were still scattered on the floor so it felt right to try something which I'd earlier tried using a dark piece of cloth .... Nothing to lose as I could always wash it off again.

The result completely transformed the picture, giving it an atmosphere and moodiness that it deserves. Instead of washing it off, I've sprayed it with fixative to preserve it. The weird thing is that - so far anyway - the fixative has turned the blue to violet.

Here is a sample from it. There's more to be done to the picture before it's finished but it has definitely turned a corner and the purple is - well - a happy accident!