Sophie Ploeg

While I was at it I have totally renewed my portfolio book as well. Same square format but now only available in premium paper to make the pictures stand out beautifully and totally updated. Check out my 'Bookstore' here . Here's a preview Sophie Ploeg by Sophie Ploeg | Make Your Own Book

Just an idea for Christmas....A notebook, sketch book, doodle book, whatever you want to use it for. Enhanced with my art for your inspiration. www.blurb.co.uk/user/store/sophieploeg Small Notebook 20 pages, 5 with art work From £4.95, 6 Euros, $9.20 for a paperback but also available in hard cover Or Large Notebook 100 blank pages, of which 16 with art work. From £16, $25, 19 Euro for a paperback but also available in hard cover Shipping to anywhere in the world. Order direct from my page on the Blurb publisher website  Order here You can order from anywhere in the world. Just choose your country and currency at the top menu. If you have trouble ordering, please do not hesitate to contact me and I'll be happy to help. For Christmas delivery, order before 10 December Sketch Write Dream Think Plan Note List Doodle Draw | Make Your Own Book

Gorgeous Blonde lace; a type of bobbin lace made from silk, this probably made for the Spanish market. Late 19th century. Should feature in a painting soon.....;)

My latest painting is finished: Black Lace Shawl, oil, 40x50cm

I have made giclee prints available of my painting The Blue Dress. They are available to buy on the link below. http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-blue-dress-sophie-ploeg.html Shipping to anywhere in the world, including the UK of course. You can choose whichever size you want and choose from a variety of archival papers. Greeting cards are an option too! At the top of the page you can choose your currency from a drop-down menu. Please note: ALL profits made from the sale of these prints will go to charity. The charities I have chosen are STARS and PoTS UK , two patient organisations who do a lot for people with dysautonomonia. If I get enough orders for a standard size and you are willing to wait I can make a bulk order and thereby save everyone postage cost. Feel free to ask any questions you might have and I hope you will buy and support these vital charities.

I have been sharing my progress pictures on this next painting and thought I wanted to show it here too. This is currently on the easel. Underpainting stage. Just burnt umber (=brown) paint on white canvas (oil primed which is the base I prefer to work on). It takes a while at this stage as I want to get the 'feel' right, the line of the neck is vital. The sepia look is quite attractive, perhaps I will do a completely monochromatic piece one day! Colour blocking in: This stage goes quicker. I put in some base colours and make sure that the skin underneath the lace is approximately the right colour. Now I get the small brushes out, a synthetic or sable size 1 brush and start hatching the skin and begin the lace pattern. I'll end up getting lost in all those curly black lines! To be continued!!

For some reason I never tried drawing lace in graphite before. After a little bit of trying I decided I had to draw the 'negative space: the space around the white lace. So I 'drew the holes', thereby leaving the white lace. This is the result. I hope you like it. Petals & Lace, graphite, 38x28cm/15x11"

In between paintings I sketch a bit, nothing spectacular but good practice and trying to try out ideas for a self portrait.