Day 0015

To make up for yesterday's abortive attempt at a delicate drawing I went out and bought some oil pastels and more toned paper so I could do a Degas' Woman combing her hair, which is much less demanding in terms of drawing. I maintain that he can't draw, and that his technical ability is achievable, but it his sense of light and colour and his ability to capture life and movement that is worthy of emulation. I had great fun working in colour with the thick, buttery oil pastels and am pleased with the result. I saw a similar one at the Met recently, and it has been haunting me. It is so simple, so easy to achieve, yet it is memorable, tender. I didn't want to love it, but I think I do.

I went to Scandinavia House today to see an exhibition of an artist formerly unknown to me -- Vilhelm Hammershøi. His work is quiet, sombre, contemplative, and united by his limited and muted palette. It made me realise that having an identifiable style is probably a selling point for an artist. I have no idea what my style is, not least because I spend so much time copying other people. This may have to change and as soon as I feel I have something to express of my own I'll get down to some original work. Probably landscape.

I'm feeling so positive about this project; it's great to be producing work, and it fills every day with a bit of purpose.