Last Oil of the Year

This post was supposed to go up on Hallowe'en, but my life flipped-turned upside down, and I am only now getting the time to write this up.

I finished my October painting in the 'one painting a month' challenge I set for myself at the start of the pandemic. Due to the cooling that happens here above the 49th parallel, it will be my last oil painting until next spring, as I don't want to paint inside and kill the household with turpentine fumes. While my medium is odourless, that doesn't mean it doesn't still pose a very real threat. It's honestly the only downside of painting with oils I've found thus far.

As this was October's challenge, and October having my favourite day of the year - Hallowe'en - this month's painting was heavily based in the myth and folklore of the British Isles. This month, I decided to paint a Black Hound. I began with a back canvas I had prepared earlier in the previous month.

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Because this was a special painting based on actual folklore, I also created a short video - a time-lapse of the painting, with a voiceover explaining what lies behind the myth of the Black Hound.

I was feeling alright about the video at the time, but right now it makes me cringe just a little. That's par for the course, with me and my endeavours, really, so I'm leaving it up any way. I'm thinking I might do something similar for all the paintings I do from now on, if my work obligations permit me the time.

In case you're curious, here is the video:

I need to get better at doing thumbnails.

I was supposed to begin the next painting (November's) this weekend, but did not find the time. I will be doing the concept sketch this week though, in anticipation of beginning the painting this coming weekend.

For now, I have to say that I'm quite pleased with this last oil painting of the year, and I'm looking forward to painting with oils again, when the weather permits.