Sophie Ploeg

Please do go out and buy this month’s Artists & Illustrators Magazine as it is a technique special and I have written an article on painting fabrics. http://www.chelseamagazines.com/Artists-and-Illustrators I hope you like the article, let me know what you think of it or if you have any questions! Here is another post about the article Artists & Illustrator’s Magazine also published the article as  a four-part series on their website . 

I am working on a triple portrait (a commission) with the client’s permission, here are some teaser pictures....   

My palette in my palette box. I close the box (sealed with insulation tape) whenever I have to stop painting and the paint stays wet a little longer - ready for the next painting session. I have tried many palette setups and this is the latest one. The Masterson palette box is a favourite as well but it doesn’t seal as well as a wooden box. I often use disposable palettes but am now trying a glass one. I am not one for cleaning my palette very often (as I continually paint on and off throughout the day and evening depending on the demands of family life) but I imagine I’ll have to clean this glass one at some stage! I would like to try a traditional wooden kidney palette one day but again, am not sure the cleaning issue will make it suitable for me. I’ve seen palettes that you can put vertically, next to your painting which seems a great idea (the closer it is to your painting the easier it is to judge what colour or tone to choose/mix). At the moment the glass palette in wooden box ...

I had a great day life drawing with a friend, at the RWA Bristol, organised by the Bristol Drawing School. Here are some pics, excuse the nudity...

I am busy working on a great commission of three sisters. To explore their faces I sometimes make some sketches - in different positions/angles than the final painting. These sketches are not worked out into great detail, but enough to have given me real good study of proportions, shapes and values. Here’s one: graphite, @20x25cm

For the second year running one of my paintings has been selected to be shown alongside members’ work at the Society of Women Artists annual exhibition. Last year I won the Winsor & Newton Choice Award.  This year my painting ‘ Drapery ’, framed in a classical cream  frame is hanging wonderfully. A friend of mine was so kind to take some photos. Now on at the Mall Galleries , at The Mall, London: Society of Women Artists, annual exhibition - until 7 July 2012. Here are some images of it: If you can make it, do visit this exhibition, there is a huge variety of work to be seen. Feel free to leave a comment below.