Sophie Ploeg

Another self portrait.... Self Portrait Looking Down oil on panel, 18x24cm There's a lot of 'me' in the studio. A big ego trip? Time to go back to painting lace! On my facebook friends page I am posting the progress of my largest work ever, in the main header image. You don't need to be my friend to see it, but in case you want to follow.... Have a look here . Every time I work on it I will update this image (which is just a detail of the larger painting). This is the latest instalment, painted yesterday.

A detail of a giant canvas I am working on. Just initial drawing/underpainting. Haven't done much recently as trying to recover from a nasty chest infection. But I hope to show you more progress on this piece soon.

Here's my latest. Another self portrait. It is really interesting to do self portraits. Initially it is awkward; feelings of vanity, embarrassment etc get into the mix. Its weird staring at yourself and it is easy to see all the beauty flaws. But after a while you put that to one side. I mean, it's not like I didn't know what I look like before, is it?! So when I am painting 'me' I don't have to worry so much about getting the likeness, because I know my own face. I get a likeness much quicker, its not even something I need to strive for or think about. That means I can focus much, much more on expressions, colours, compositions and just have a play. That's why I haven't been painting one self portrait but I am still working on them. I'm just not very good at coming up with titles.... Here is a pic of one side of my studio. As you can see its a right mess as I am doing too many things at the same time! Painting frames, working on self portra...

New Work Self Portrait with Lace Collar oil on panel, 9x11" / 24x30cm

Dates for your Diary: Open Studio will be 5,6 and 12 May 2013, 10am-5pm Please email or sign up to my mailing list to stay up dated!

The Queen framed in a grey/cream painted frame.

Tidying up my drawing, here's a detail. I am forever fiddling with my work until it is framed!

Graphite on paper, 30x40cm

A Study in graphite, 27x27cm

I repainted the head and neck part of this painting. Calling it really finished now!

I treated myself to a drawing board, new pencils and paper. Big plans to do much more drawing this year!  I thought I'd christen my drawing board tonight. Feels great!

I found a box of old childhood drawings today. Very nostalgic indeed. Here's proof that I have always drawn people. Also a lot of fashion-styled stuff (I made my own clothes). I also think that my own son, who is only 7, is better already than I ever was as a kid!

Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands will turn 75 in January and to celebrate there is an open competition to create an image of the queen for an exhibition at the royal palace. I thought it would be fun to join in, paint the queen and hopefully one day exhibit something in my home country. Fingers crossed. Here's my painting: HM Queen Beatrix, oil on panel, 24x30cm

I am happy to report that my painting 'Folded Lace' has won the 'Best Picture on an Art Blog' in the category 'Still Life' on the Making a Mark Blog . Thank you to all who voted for me. Folded Lace, 40x30cm Winner of the Best Picture of the Year (Still Life) on an Art Blog 2012 The MAM Award for Best Picture of the Year on an Art Blog 2012 Heartbreak Morning, by Barbara Benedetti Newton Pastel, 25x25" ©  Barbara Benedetti Newton  There are some great paintings amongst the winners this year. The overall winner was Barbara Benedetti Newton with her lovely painting 'Heartbreak Morning'.