On Cue

 On Cue

8" x 8"  oil on panel

I didn't spend time in pool halls in my youth for a couple of reasons. One, because they weren't something that interested me and two, I'd be major trouble at home if I was found in one.  That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy pushing balls around on a table, whether the game is called pool, billiards or snooker. (I never did understand the differences between the names or perhaps they're simply geographical.  Maybe someone can tell me.)

But I do love drawing and painting spheres.  They are deceptively simple looking, but in reality very complex.  Painting  light and shadow to create believable roundness takes observation and patience.  Creating curved shapes with a straight edged knife is easier than you think and more about considering edges and not making them tight and hard.

I added a speeded up 8 minute film of the painting of this cue ball. You can see the build of paint layers and perhaps some of my ever changing thought process as I progress through the piece. There is no sound.  I will be making a longer (slower) version of the video available soon at low cost that will walk viewers through the colours, techniques and decisions made during the painting.

The original painting is available in my Etsy store.