Even inanimate objects have a life and a story to tell – and this old truck could tell you quite a few!

My inspiration
I have always had a fascination for bringing life to inanimate objects. Although the vehicle is old and rusty the chrome still has that sparkle like a face “still smiling after all these years”.

Design strategy
The truck was placed centrally as it was the subject of my “portrait” with simple aerial perspective in softer colours and horizontal stripes to give distance. I also created a gentle oval shape by darkening the corners and tilted the vehicle, a little like a puppy with its head on one side, to give that human touch. This was painted from photographs. I took several angles and chose a three quarter view that interestingly made a diamond shape inside the oval within the main rectangle!

My work process
I always paint on heavily textured boards – in this case one that has previously been used as a mixing palette so that it is covered with old dry paint. I try to integrate these colours wherever possible. Here the background trees and foliage are the old paint and I created them by painting in the negative area of blue sky. On the vehicle you can even see this base colour showing through under the rust of the metalwork. It almost painted itself. My main contribution was detailing with the fine lines, adding the solid dark areas (for contrast) and then working on the chrome. I then put a transparent glaze over the truck to coordinate the colours and added highlights around the front area to bring it forward. I work all over my paintings at the same time deciding what under painting I can leave in place. Quick drying Alkyds are a great help in this approach.