The first layer, called a grisaille as its painted in grey, using Titanium White and Ivory Black

The first glaze which was painted in roughly an hour. This is the subject of a film in 4 parts, showing the 1st glaze being painted in oils

The second glaze, painted after a couple of days when the first glaze had fully dried. I use M. Graham’s Walnut Alkyd medium. The alkyd accelerates the drying, otherwise the oil takes at least a week to be dry enough to paint the next glaze.

The third oil glaze shows the colours getting richer. I continue to model the forms of the portrait while I paint the glazes.

4th glaze