Winston

I just got a small set of casein paints and here's my first little study I did with them. A lot of the classic illustration from the 50's and 60's that I like seem to be done with casein and I had never tried using it before so I thought it was about time. To me it feels like somewhere between gouache and acrylic. Doesn't pick up as easily as gouache but it can still be reworked a little even after it's been dry for a few days. Apparently it will eventually dry and become waterproof over time. So far I like it a lot. The smell is a little strange as the binder is made from milk and ammonia but it's not too strong. Unfortunately it seems that there is only ONE brand (Shiva) who makes casein anymore and I can't imagine there is much call for it these days so I fear that it will eventually stop being manufactured. The good news is that it's easy to make yourself if necessary. Or I should say "easy" if you don't mind grinding your own pigments, creating the proper binders, mixing and storing it. But those are the kind of things I like to do anyway.

So the picture is a portrait of Winston Churchill, Prime minister of Great Britain during World War II. It's based on a more full length photo by Karsh of Ottawa made in 1941. Hopefully the likeness is good. I spent a long time trying to get it right and finally decided it was as done as it was going to get since it isn't a paying job.