Yesterday the temps here in Valencia touched 42 degrees so I remained indoors and got a good bit of painting in. Took Poppy the dog out early but even then it was hot, and even at 8pm when we went out again it was still very warm, thank goodness for air conditioning is all I can say. I went up and turned it on at 10.30pm and when I went to bed at midnight the room was positively cold. During the day we just tend to use a large fan downstairs (until around 8pm when we use the aircon and close the patio doors), but my painting light showed 31 degrees yesterday and the paints were skinning over almost as soon as I put them on the wet palette, making it a bit of a struggle. I did however manage to finish these three Perry figures. The Eagle bearer and Sapper will be used on French unit number 7, whilst the drum major is going on a command base beside a mounted officer. I'm making up the numbers with the Perry fusiliers you can see in the picture, 8 of them and today plan is to paint the first 4 of them.
My wife has left me well provided for with home made meals in the freezer, 3 individual cottage pies, (because I love cottage pie), bolognese sauce (none of your jars here, fresh tomatoes), Chilli Con Carne, and lots of salad, my favourite being sliced tomatoes layered with mozzarella cheese, sliced spring onions (massive things here) and fresh basil, drizzled with olive oil in true Mediterranean style, I can knock this up in about 5 minutes, add a sliced boiled egg and slice of seedy wholemeal bread and Bingo. Of course red wine is stocked up for the week too, Shaz certainly looks after me on the supplies front! Last night I settled down to eat around 8.30pm, (the Spanish tend to eat very late and stay up late, 10pm dinner is not unusual here), and I watched Carry on up the Khyber, no doubt inspired by Bob Cordery's recent game at C.O.W. I must admit it had me laughing out loud.
Know what you mean Lee. Had a shout from the missus mid figure yesterday, put the brush down for a mo came back a few minutes later to find the ruddy brush and paint blob on the palette were solid! Aargh.
ReplyDeletehave you tried using a wet palette JBM? I have used one for years now and whilst not as effective in this heat is can still save a lot of paint. Simple method - shallow plastic box (with lid is better), filled with cut to size thick kitchen roll soaked in water, then overlaid with a sheet of cut to size greaseproof paper very slightly moistened. You will find your paints stay usable for hours, especially if you close the lid between sessions, although I must confess last week at 42 degrees outside some colours were struggling, especially the quite thick white paint. Hope you are bearing up mate, best regards :)
ReplyDeleteAnd that right there is one of the reasons I visit this blog! What a great idea. After all these years in the hobby I can't believe I've never heard of it. Cheers for the advice Lee. I'm off to nick one of the wife's little tupperware containers - which should do nicely.
DeleteNo problem JBM, I think you will find it makes a big difference even in this heat. Just one more tip if I may, I'd try to find something quite shallow with a lid, say 25mm or so as it just makes things easier when dipping the brush in the paint, or so I find. Soon as the greaseproof is full of dry paint simply dispose of and cut another bit to shape. Don't forget to lightly moisten the surface with a finger :)
DeleteCould I suggest the following.... I take regular medication each day and I asked my chemist to dispense them in plastic 'Dosset boxes'. When empty they are fantastic as painting pallets.. Lots of small compartments for mixing paint in and a hinged lid that covers the whole tray.
ReplyDeleteThanks BobTee, tha'ts a really useful idea :)
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