It’s started to snow here in the UK, in fact there are a few flurries outside my window already. It made me think, why not say ‘Hello’ with a ski-ing image? It’s been a while since I last posted. The winter has been good, but I do feel better now the days are lengthening. Time to emerge from hibernation!

The painting I wanted to share is one I made of recently retired Austrian skier, Mattias Mayer. A person who could do everything on a pair of skis that most of us (especially me!) can only dream of doing!

It is a small painting – one of my favourite square formats, 8in x 8in (20cm x 20cm) but I packed a lot in!

I began with my favourite drawing pens. The ink sparks when misted with water, giving a barbed effect which makes the line fizz. You can see it on the mountain especially.

Painting the bolder colours of the suit, snow and helmet in watercolour. Gouache gives the stripes which I spread with my fingers so that the stripes are moving with him – almost leaving the fabric! I sprayed gouache from the brush for the kick-up of snow.

Great subject and everything I love about winter sport.

Keep safe in the snow everyone. Enjoy yourselves and have fun! 🙂