These teapot shapes continue to  interest me. I set up part of my favorite collection outside on a glass table when it was nice and sunny outside. I also put some mirrors behind the teapots to capture their reflections and add depth to the composition. It was tricky setting the mirrors up against the chairs, as they have a tendency to slide down since they’re so small. I also have to deal with the breeze, as sometimes it blows objects down. It’s always a good idea to work quickly! After that I photograph the set-up from many angles. Most of the time I work from my photos. In the past I have drawn the design from the actual set-up, but it’s a longer process and I like to streamline it so I can start painting sooner.

I began the painting at the top — the reflections in the mirrors — and worked my way into the center, and lastly the foreground.

I feel this is a successful painting because the spouts lead the viewer’s eye into the picture and around. The repetition of the circular lids and teapot shapes gives the painting harmony.