This is a picture that I have been wanting to draw for a long time. For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated by hands, especially old hands with a lifetime of movements, gestures, touches and experiences traced into their skin. I actually started drawing this image in coloured pencil on Pastelmat some time ago, but have since abandoned that effort, twice! I have seen so many wonderful artworks in coloured pencil on Pastelmat by other artists, but I cannot get along with it like thay do. I think I am too familiar with working in pencil on Stonehenge paper to change now. So third time lucky, and back to my trusty pastels to create and this time complete this study.
A Handful of Chillies is the first in what will be a series of six studies of old hands that I will be drawing. The colours in this are what drew me to this image first, the complimentary reds against the greenish turquoise of the background sing so beautifully, and the warm richness of the browns of her skin like are a central thread holding it all together.
There is such a beautiful collection of textures in this picture, shapes that catch my eye and make me want to look closer, to understand how they all play together and with one another. As both a viewer and an artist it is a joy for me, and I hope that you enjoy it too.
Thanks go to Rehahn Photography for his amazing image
