Snape/Alan Rickman Icon

              Last year, I was struck by the tragedy of Alan Rickman's death. It was especially poignant because he died on my birthday, January 14, 2016. Rickman was always one of my favorite actors. He was unique and I found myself enamored with his characters, no matter the role. Rickman was the perfect actor to play Professor Snape. Sinister, mysterious and subtly endearing. I thought it appropriate to honor him and his work in my most recent Icon painting.
                   This painting is gouache (or opaque watercolor) on an ampersand panel. The dimensions are 12x16 inches. Like every painting I do, I learn something about the medium and myself. This time I learned that my fears are more often than not, irrational and unfounded. I put this painting off for a few weeks because I didn't think I could pull it off successfully. But in the end I was pleased with my work.
                  From a materials point of view, I learned that varnish can be removed if it needs to be. I found this out by applying varnish to the finished painting only to be really disappointed with the texture it left. I had used spray varnish before but not this particular brand. So I got an unpleasant pebbly surface and thought I'd ruined the painting.
                 After watching a few videos on youtube on varnish removal, I was confident I could repair my over-application. I used mineral spirits and clean cotton cloths and was able to remove the varnish and respray this morning. I got the results I wanted and can move on to framing the piece. Big sigh of relieve.
                   With each Icon I paint, I want to help others remember the work of important people.