Baba Yaga

When I picked up this model from Abyssoul (https://www.abyssoul.com/products/baba-yaga-bust) at SMC last year, it was on the basis that I had a very rough idea for a witch coven but no plan beyond that. With SMC looming large this year, I started painting this last Monday as realisation dawned there were no projects on my desk that felt finished enough or suitable to take and display.

While it's Baba Yaga, I wanted to give the feeling of a more friendly, earthy grandmother; one with nature and just relaxed in doing what she does. At the beginning the palette for this was a little colder, but after feedback from a good friend and painting mentor I warmed it up with a few glazes of red, before re-establishing highlights. The difference is enormous.

It's a limited palette of Black Red, Magic Blue, Off White, Yellow and a touch of Vermillion for warmth and Black to desaturate. No pure white, and even the black is mixed with the other colours.

You know it must be a good project when I feel brave enough to take a close-up of the face.

I have put time and energy into this project and when it goes on display at SMC next weekend, and feel it's one of my best works. In a week, this project has had 40 hours put in, and finally focusing on a single piece has paid dividends. While there's always more you feel can be done with it, there's also a point where you have to step away from a project before you detract from your efforts or grow tired of a piece. I am content.