Part of my "nostalgia collection, "Alfie" stands out as one of my very first acrylic paintings that felt truly successful. During this period, I was drawn to capturing cute and cuddly toys, transforming them into wonderfully colourful and vibrant compositions that celebrate the innocent joys of childhood.
This piece began as a direct observation, with me setting up my son’s blue plush toy, Alfie, a charming puppy, as a still life. To accurately capture his prominent form on the canvas, I utilized the "artist's envelope" method—sketching a network of angled, overlapping lines that define the subject's overall shape and internal proportions. It's a fantastic technique for developing observational skills and ensuring a fluid, rather than rigid, transfer from life. Once my charcoal sketch and guiding envelope lines were complete, I dove straight into blocking in the colours.
Alfie is seated with his front feet tucked between his hind legs, his body so prominent in the frame that he almost seems to protrude out the front of the canvas—a deliberate placement to make him front and centre. He has long, floppy ears, a prominent snout, and distinct jowls, defining his adorable features. While Alfie's own light blues and darker mauves convey his soft, cuddly appearance, the brushwork is visible throughout, deliberately emulating the fluffy texture of a cuddly plush toy.
To inject dynamism into the composition, I used artistic license and chose a bold, golden hue from my imagination to surround him. This background has slight variations in hue and texture, making the light shimmer around Alfie and creating a vibrant contrast that makes the plush toy pop with lively energy. I hope this painting is a delightful and colourful reminder of joyful childhood moments from your own past.