Homage to "The Little Peasant", by Modigliani

10"hx8.5"w, acrylics, charcoal and pastels on mat board

This weekend, after working on a painting for a few weeks with what felt like minimal progress, I set it aside to play a little. I found a background in the making on my shelves and went to it. After another layer of mark-making I felt I was ready to move on to something specific.

As I flipped through some of my art books for inspiration I was drawn to one of Amedeo Modigliani's portraits - not one of his famous slender-necked women, but that of a peasant. I liked the simplicity of the composition and the soft tones worked perfectly with my background.

I pulled out the pastels and created the piece you see above, that I have since happily declared complete!

See that signature on the bottom right? That means it is done and DONE.

Here's to the first one of the year, it feels good.