Emergency acrylics

The next assignment for the course was predictably enough to paint a picture in post-impressionist style. The problem was, by the time I knew it was supposed to be done in oils and before what date, I'd already left the particular place where I keep most of my stuff, including my oils. I had brought with me acrylics, though, as they are far easier to transport, and an F2 canvas board (I have a preference for canvas boards, as they take up less space and are cheaper). So I set out to at least try to do the assignment anyway.
Once again I found myself troubled by the choice of what to paint. I wanted something from real life, but that proved unfeasible, and taking something from off the top of my head didn't work. But recently, via the blog of Neil Gaiman, I found at Dr Sketchy a session that had been dedicated to The Endless, from the comic series "Sandman" (which, if you haven't read it, you ought to). I found this, and was taken with how awesome Desire came across.
I used said F2 canvas board, my synthetic acrylic brushes and my paints, to which I'd added one more yellow. I previously owned only a Process Yellow, but decided that a Windsor & Newton Cadmium Yellow Light would be a good addition - in hindsight, I should have gone for something darker but, there you go. I didn't sketch beforehand, but started with a dark brown, mixed from I can't remember which colours (orange and green, probably) to get the outlines of his/her coat. I did try, I really did, to paint with inspiration from Rysselberghe and Tolouse-Lautrec but as you can see... I pretty much failed. I tried using their brush technique, and their eye for colour but bugger it all, I failed. I'm not about to give up, however! I intend to have another try once I get a hold of my oils again. Post-impressionism isn't my favoured style but I want to force myself to paint in ways I never would otherwise, to progress my skills.

I painted this in two sittings, and did the majority of Desire in the first, but the background and touch-ups the next time. A good thing, since also the light changed in the room I worked in, so that some colours that seemed like good ideas the first sitting, weren't actually, as it turned out in full daylight.

I tried not to shy away from strong colours and sharp contrasts, and to paint with small brushstrokes and thick layers of paint.