Sleepyhead

My painting "Sleepyhead" is a tender moment captured on canvas, born from a feeling of nostalgia for the simple, peaceful days of childhood. Inspired by a photo of my nephew, this piece portrays a young boy, completely lost in slumber, nestled comfortably within a cozy easy chair.

The boy of about six years old, is sprawled out in a plush, overstuffed, vintage easy chair. His head leans gently on his shoulder and the arm of the chair, while his right leg is lifted slightly, suggesting a recent shift for comfort or a response to a soft sound. His face is clearly visible to the viewer, framed by medium brown hair, cut quite short on the side, with wisps falling gently over his forehead.

I approached this painting with a direct, alla prima method, applying wet paint into wet paint to maintain a sense of immediacy and freshness. The primary artistic challenge, and a fun exploration, was to create a vibrant combination of blues. The chair itself, though a solid blue, is rendered in a variety of slightly different hues to create visual interest and convey its form and shadows. The boy is dressed in cobalt blue shorts and a cerulean blue shirt. My aim was to ensure these distinct blue areas remained interesting and varied, avoiding flatness. To achieve this, I wove in warm pinks, oranges, and earthy tones into the boy's skin, a technique inspired by Joaquin Sorolla's handling of luminous flesh tones. These warm accents, along with touches of pinks and oranges in the background—where a hint of reflection from nearby furniture is visible and a shadow of the chair falls —serve to offset the cool blues and add a harmonious richness to the composition. The light in the painting is soft, diffused, and warm, gently illuminating the tranquil scene.

I hope this painting evokes a sense of peace, warmth, and comfort of a child's slumber, perhaps even stirring your own fond memories of quiet moments gone by.

This artwork is available at Stockhome Design in Vancouver. Please visit to view in person!