Progress on the 2nd Equipping the Persecuted painting:

I’ve been able to work quite a bit on this one - doing a glaze and then two full oil layers - this past week. My guess is that this will require one, maximum two more layers before it’s finished.

I’m hoping to refine her face and hands in that process and then it will be varnishing & shipping time!

This week, I’ve also experimented with a new type of solvent that’s supposed to contain 0 toxic fumes as I was a little worried being pregnant.

My typical Eco House Xtra mild citrus thinner is (as the name suggests) very mild but my husband read about another woman who painted through 9 pregnancies using Eco-solve given 0 toxic fumes.

So far, I feel the quality of the solvent is pretty comparable but I’ve just started to use it so we’ll see how that progresses. Unfortunately, I have to admit, I really dislike the smell of the new one.

My experimental scripture work using watercolour and ink on paper is almost finished:

I just have to do some refining on the border and then frame so I’m hoping the final product will be ready to show you next week!

I used black ink for the lettering and border, which I’m feeling was a little too harsh for the background.

I’m hoping that I can choose a frame that will support this high contrast but I’m thinking that for my next one, I’ll use either a softer ink or I’ll do the lettering in watercolour as well.

Lastly, I did some final signatures this week as my other commissions finish up drying. This coming week will be a lot of varnishing as I finish up this batch of work:

Thank you so much for being here with me. Please do not hesitate at all to reach out and connect! I so much enjoy hearing from you.

Check out more artwork here: martinaheinelt.com

Warmly in Him,

Martina

P.S. Hit reply and let me know what you’re up to if you feel like connecting or need a prayer