Finally, I am able to paint from life again! Of course, a painter’s brush is never dry and during this “lock-down” period I have painted portraits from life, but much limited to self portraits and those of close family. I also undertook some heraldic commissions and had much fun sketching outdoors.

I focused on doing as much as I could for portrait commissions by referring to preparatory drawings, oil studies and background photographs. However, what a joy to paint from life again.

This beautiful portrait is very much a Kit-Cat format and by far the most heraldic portrait I’ve worked on, and quite rightly so. With my model being the first female herald, deputy Lord Lyon and Secretary to the Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle.

The background features part of the Thistle Chapel in Edinburgh with its magnificent stall plates. The bespoke frame that I designed includes delicate thistles and the Arms of Mrs Roads, which I cast and painted by hand as a cartouche at the top of the splendid ornate frame.

As the oil paint cures, I reflect on how much I have learned about heraldry and the wonderfully rich life of my sitter. I look forward to being able to show the finished piece after it is unveiled in a few months time.