Jigsaw - 1

Here you can see me applying the very first few dots to what will become a large intensely colourful work. But the very beginning establishes the tone of the rest of the picture.So with regard to faces, I like to work on the eyes first...once they are right, the rest will follow....if it's to go wrong, it may as well be now rather than in a couple of weeks. The first thing to do is to lay down a few base colours..I do not use black when working in colour...the pupil here is dark blue overlaid with medium blue. the flesh tones are made up with a base layer of scarlet overlaid by yellow ochre, blue and green...and anything else that seems appropriate at the time. this photo gives a good illustration as to the size of the actual dots. I use the Rotring Isograph Pen with 0.25mm nibs...this is the only gauge I use.

Here a layer or Scarlett has been applied around the eyes, and yellow ochre is being applied next...it's a matter of applying more layers of each colour strengthening the tone and establishing the areas which are darker .
Here I've worked for a few hours, the warmth of the image is coming through now...and yes, it is me yet again, so those of you of a nervous disposition who don't want to look at me for the next month or two...please look away now!

I have so many symbolic references to come in this work and I'm positive it will become my most accomplished work to date. As the days go by, you will see the image spread across the page...remember, you were here at the beginning!