I was asked to paint the lovely mellow Elvis by Miles as a birthday present for his wife Vicky. It is her special horse so it had to be right. Safe to say it certainly evolved over a few weeks!

I did the underpainting, blocking in the tones, and started the background. I often find the background more challenging than the portrait.

Next, I started building up around the main features and getting the markings in the correct place. Plus of course, fiddling with the background again!

He’s getting there and small adjustments and additions take place at this stage, both on the main picture and the background.

Just need to fix that ear!

Adding in some smaller markings, its all about putting it on, moving it around and maybe taking some off. Layers, layers, layers!

I am nearly happy, or am I? Yes, he is looking lovely.