Bathing Beauties

Oil on board

430 x 410 mm

Pigmy Hippos (Choeropsis liberiensis)

My first oil painting. I loved the smell of the oil paints used by other
painters in my class. One day I decided to try them out for myself, and soon I
was hooked on the smooth, buttery consistency.

Oil isn't a practical medium for an illustrator as it takes so long to dry.
I think that is another reason I liked them. They provided a refreshing contrast
with the work I did for profit. Oils made painting a journey of discovery and
expression. What I was learning in class could be applied to illustration work,
but I was having so much fun I didn't feel like I was working hard at all!