New Theatre Poster

I've just finished the poster for Marian Street Theatre's next production - Beauty and the Beast. I had to do it really quickly - I had less than 2 days - so worked out a superfast technique that seemed to work nicely for me. First I did an underdrawing, which is red chalk dust brushed onto gesso on paper with a wet brush - you can layer up the intensity of the tones, and erase away the highlights, and soften the edges with extra water. I think I like the underdrawing more than the final painting. Then I had my first proper go with my new Genesis paints, layering about 7-8 coats over the underdrawing. It was so fast - the paints stayed totally workable for as long as I needed them to, and then I could dry them instantly with my trusty heat gun. The consistency is nice - quite soft and buttery, and easily diluted with medium to create transparent glazes. I have a couple of reservations - the colours don't behave quite the way I'm used to, and it dries a little chalky, but that might be because I haven't got the balance of paint and thinner right. Anyway, here's the final finished thingummyjig....