Eleanor Baynes

I first met Mark whilst working on the AGM at Archery GB (AGB) where I worked at for three years. We discussed my artwork at an archery event, and I told Mark about my 101 Dalmatian Days project . I was pleased when he purchased ‘No. 95 Dottie Does Archery’, as the print was going to a great home with Mark being the Chair of AGB.

That was in 2021 and after moving jobs I didn’t hear from Mark until November 2022 when he got in touch regarding a possible commission.

I took a trip north and visited his home to understand what kind of artwork Mark and his wife were interested in. It was great to understand their tastes, likes and preferred visual subjects they were looking for in their home.

We discussed style and I measured their space to make sure the composition of the proposed painting complemented the interior. Budget was discussed and timescale to manage expectations as I was currently planning to go on maternity leave. Most importantly colour to suit the interior design, which is integral in my work. We looked at their own photography as reference for the painting and agreed on a photograph of a bay in Amble, Northumberland where they visited.

My Trip to Mark’s was in the run up to Christmas. After moving to a new house and a couple of weeks with Covid it was not until early 2023 I was in a position to send over a couple of digital images of how I could visualise the photograph as a painting. This was created on Adobe Photoshop and an example of the proposed painting superimposed in the interior of their space.

Once I was given the go ahead with one of the colour compositions production could begin. The painting was to fit above a contemporary yellow unit in their kitchen.

I first arrange for the wooden stretcher to be made to size. I could then stretch the cotton canvas myself which was supplied by Whaley’s in Yorkshire. The canvas was then primed with Gesso and the fun of transposing the landscape onto canvas could begin.

I normally work with a grid over the digital image so I can ensure the composition and perspective is similar. Then I sketched out the landscape and begin with a first thin layer. Colours and tones are mixed and the fun of applying the paint can begin.

The next part is difficult to put into words as I zone out applying the paint to create an image. Once I’ve looked, reapplied paint and looked over and over again I am finally happy with the first draft. A high-resolution photograph is sent over to them and their feedback listened to.

By the point I received their feedback I was in hospital giving birth to my beautiful baby girl Eva, therefore the painting was on hold. As soon as I was able the detail was added with Eva as my muse! 

The final picture of the painting was sent over and pleased to hear they were happy with the result.  As discussed, a floating black box frame was applied to the painting again by my local framers to add the finishing touch.

I was nervous when I packed my car with the painting and headed to deliver the work. Firstly, because I had invested a lot of time and energy into the picture and secondly with baby brain taking hold, I was beginning to doubt my measurements and remembered the yellow unit to be smaller than it actually was.

Painting delivered I was very happy and content with it in the kitchen it fitted into. The colour scheme worked in keeping with their interior and most importantly they loved the final result.