01.

2. Claudia started by applying the verdigris and building up the transitions into copper and bronze.

03. There is real control needed to assign the shadow tones following the muscle contours of Charlie’s back. I used a couple of Lupolux 650 lights to capture the painting process. I used the two point lighting method I wrote about here on Photofocus.

04. The painting process took just under 4 hours. The Mehron powders with the alcahol base dry very quickly so it’s best to mix small amounts at a time. Claudia blended 2 metallic powders to achieve the final result.

05. In the studio I used two Lupolux 650 lights as 3/4 backlights and an Arri Junior 300w tungsten light to add a splash of golden light. Later in the 1/2 hour shoot session I added a Lupolux 1000 with a scattergel.

06. Hard light from the Lupolux and Arri fresnel spotlights is perfect to highlight the beauty of Charlie.

07. Charlie had researched poses and looked effortlessly fabulous throughout the shoot.

08. I love the ‘runs’ of paint across the verdigris. It’s like war paint. I chose an above the eye line camera angle for the portrait.

09. I used a ‘Cappuccino’ background roll from Calumet and under lit it.

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11. The shoulder creases are just stunning. There is a real sense of metallic form like a bronze sculpture.

12. Claudia started by plaiting Charlie’s hair before working on applying paint to the body and finally her face.

13. Detail matters. All the photographs were taken on my Nikon D700 with a 24mm-70mm lens because Julie had borrowed my Fuji X-Pro1 to take to Fuerteventura. I so missed the Fuji on this shoot.

14. Artist Claudia with her artwork.