Ke11y Slater - Portrait of a champion

Here is my latest painting as a tribute to the greatest surfer in history, Kelly Slater.
When he won his 8th world title, Quicksilver branded him as 'SL8TER'.  I thought that he would retire, so that he could keep the cool '8' in his name.  I could not foresee what seemed impossible, that he would win another 3 world titles, and become  'Ke11y'.
This painting is based on an instagram that Kelly took, after he had won his latest crown during the Rip Curl Search event at San Francisco.  It may have even been taken on 11.11.11.
Thankyou Kelly for the inspiration !

Another Masterpiece Nearly Finished

Managed to do a little bit more painting yesterday, before I got called away to go and buy some groceries and do some other important things. The painting is really starting to show promise. I just need to paint the cables on the bridge, and some more detail on the face and hat, and then I am just about done.

A New Project Begins

I have settled in to my new home nicely. I've set aside some space in the garage as a painting area that has a big glass window letting in a lot of natural light.
So then I got thinking of what my next project could be. Since I enjoy doing landscape paintings, and I've also started doing portraits, (so far just sketching with an ink pen), I came with the idea of doing a half landscape, half portrait.
I happen to follow Kelly Slater on Instagram, and he uploaded this photo, which was taken just after he won his 11th world title at San Francisco.  I love this picture because Kelly has such striking eyes, and also the Golden Gate is so iconic.

So here is my start on a largeish 40 x 40 inch canvas using oils.  Hoping to get most of this finished in the last week of my holidays!

More Portrait Sketches

Still in the process of packing and moving house. Only time for a few sketches.