Hot roasted chestnuts

Hot roast chestnuts, Christmas market no 7

Another beauty was the very Victorian chestnut stall, complete with vendor wearing a top hat and waistcoat. Again the red, and the dark mauve sky - a killer combination. There were also coloured lights around the top of the stall and in the trees which were a detail too far for this little study but would definitely have a part to play in any future large studio painting. I am such a sucker for coloured fairy lights - especially the ordinary lightbulb sized ones, strung up in trees. Maybe I should go to Blackpool? Or... the Christmas lights at Mousehole, that's probably more my scene!

I did intend to take photos throughout the painting process but only managed two and then forgot. It gives you a good idea of the goings on though, and it's the way I've tackled all of these market paintings.

I start with a warm mid grey and do a general block in of mid-toned neutral areas. You'll notice I'm not doing any kind of drawing of shapes, just dealing in broad masses.

I then work in the darkest darks, again it's masses that I'm looking for here. You can't really tell with the photo but this is not a general black, but subtly different colours - some cooler, some warmer, some reddish, some more violet. 

From here I paint in the yellow and red colour group and then the blues and then the lightest highlights. 

Squinting all the while, I'm aiming for the structure or skeleton of the scene. The viewer can put the meat on the bones.

Fabulous studio gadget

Waste not, want not

Every now and then something very cool comes into my life that I want to tell you all about, because I think you will love it too. I've recently invested in a tube wringer and I'd certainly have got one sooner had I known how easy it makes completely emptying a paint tube - saving every precious drop for the palette!

Crinkle cut

It was fairly expensive to buy but it will save me so much paint that would otherwise have been wasted, and when you use professional and handmade paint you know that's well worth saving.

Not only is it economically sensible but it is SO much fun to crinkle up your tubes like crisps!

All wrung out

I warn you it's strangely addictive... and it was one of those purchases that I wasn't sure when I ordered it how much I would actually use it...

The tube wringer is made in the US so I'm sure it will be easy enough to purchase if you live over there, and here in the UK it is available to buy from Jacksons Art ... and no, I'm not getting paid commission! Click here if interested :-)