Sir Edward Hale

Philippe Mercier [French Painter, ca.1689-1760] who worked in England from 1716. One of his finished pieces is of Sir Edward Hale shown in his hunting outfit!

Here is a prime example of what is noted as a "Field Sketch" by Philippe Mercier  called PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN done in the 3rd quarter 18th century held in the Rennes Museum of Fine Arts

My preferred art media is oil, but I have worked with some acrylic, water colours and pen or graphite and paper. Water colours are something I am still working to improve!


The old way was to use a watercolour to tint a page and then to draw using white, red and or black chalk. Graphite and charcoal were also use to illustrate composition. Once the composition was approved, then an oil painting was performed. Many times just a sketch of a part was done for reference.


Of course not all of those great masters had to do this, once they had established themselves, they just painted the portrait!