I started on this one. Two layers of gesso primer, first layer of oil on the face and blocked in his hat and coat. (excuses for the horribly over-exposed photo).

This is a great likeness of Verdi. Given that this year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Beethoven, maybe someone will produce a bust of the great Ludwig Van?

I think I have seen a bust (more like half-figure) of Beethoven raising his hands over his head while conducting. Can't off-hand recall where.

Yes, that's the one I had seen, thanks. No updates on the bust; SWMBO is having influenze A so I'm on caretaker duty. Hopefully in the long chinese new year weekend...

Hello Henkm. Glad to see your Wip of Verdi bust and thanks for sharing.
Looking forward to see the final pics...
Just curious... when say gesso primer. Did you sprayed it or applied with brush?
Normally gesso is suitable for painting boards. Can you share a pic of the product you used?

I brushed it on. The climate here is not really good for rattle can primers (hot and especially too humid, it gives a bad surface to the primer). Gesso gives a nice porous surface. I use a liquitex one, like this (but I bought a smaller bottle) https://target.scene7.com/is/image/Target/50785616?wid=488&hei=488&fmt=pjpeg

Thank you for sharing this product. We never used such of primer before for figures... But sounds interesting to test with this...

Slowly progressing. Did some touch up on the face, finished the hat, put a base colour on the bow tie. Another round of bow tie, some touch up then the coat and I should be done. As usual, please excuse the hand phone pics under desk light.

Lovely so far! The pics are unfair. Why not try to shoot on daylight...

Thanks. I'm not home much during daylight hours but will try not to forget in the weekend.

Thanks Nap, the wife is well. I call it finished. I can see how it could have been better in places but for a first bust (and the first thing I finish in over a decade) I'm quite content.

On to the piccies.

Congratulations Henkm! Really lovely as a painting. We like the overall look and fell. Looks so elegant.
Do you allow us to share your painting work to our facebook page?

Thanks Teapot! Sure, go ahead and share it. Hopefully it inspires some others to buy this charming bust. It was a pleasure to paint.

Glad to hear that you enjoyed painting. Thank you!