I have squeezed a bit more out of Evil Under the Sun. I think it’s the placement and positioning of the characters (and their amazing outfits) that makes for such excellent studies, as well as the contrasty lighting and slightly ilfochrome colouring so redolent of the 1980s.
This time I used my Fabriano sketchbook and used washi tape for a clean edge. I had a marvellous time building up the layers, and having a selection of paintings on the go is fantastic for gouache as it does dry quickly but being able to move from one to another gives each one a proper chance to dry.
It’s fun to paint people, especially such vibrant characters. I feel it’s a great way to practise with the medium and experiment and I really enjoy my last couple of Sunday sessions. These paintings are engaging enough to be pleasantly occupying but as I’m copying images from a film I know inside out it’s easy enough to have something on in the background and get a bit lost for a few hours.
The Fabriano paper takes the paint beautifully and I like the effect when the paint is more diluted–such as in Arlene’s red headscarf (bottom left). I have 4 more screenshots and the chance to watch it once more before it disappears for another 11 months so I’m going to make the most of it as it’s not available on DVD or other streaming platforms as it was a TV movie which must be a bit of a nightmare for licensing.
I have a lovely art weekend ahead as I am drawing coral reefs on Saturday morning with Wild Life Drawing and then I will hopefully have the chance to immerse myself in Agatha Christie on Sunday.
