Project 2270: Sombrero 1

This in-progress page is for all regular Members of my website. Here you’ll find all fresh-from-the-studio progress reports on this Project, including in-progress photos and the artist’s thoughts and comments as he creates the art. (For more detailed and more timely reports, plus videos, upgrade to Premium Content.

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The updates below are in reverse chronological order, so the most recent is on top. To start from the beginning, go to the bottom of the page.

Report 4

Project 2270: The painting is complete!

December 6, 2025

The painting is complete! Thanks for following the creation process for “Sombrero 1.” Right now the finished painting is appearing in the Collector Preview Gallery. As a subscriber to the Simonson website you have access to this gallery and a limited-time option to purchase this painting-–just click on the button below.

Collector Preview Gallery

Report 3

Project #2270: Second and Final Painting Session

December 3, 2025

This painting went quickly. Here are screenshots of the second and final session.

Report 2

Project #2270: First Painting Session

December 2, 2025

In this first session, I’ve drawn the image onto the canvas with pencil, then cover it with an acrylic wash (burnt umber + dioxazine purple). While that dries, I mix the basic colors, and then I begin painting by blocking in the largest areas of color first.

Report 1

1. Project 2270: New Painting: Young Mexican in Sombrero

December 1, 2025

I wanted to do a young Mexican guy in a sombrero but I didn’t have any photos of my own (no sombreros available last time I did a photo session with a Mexican guy) so I used Artistly.ai and with a lot of experimenting, created an image I really like in every way and which I think will be a lot of fun to translate into paint. Then I tweaked it in Photoshop–tomorrow I’ll transfer it to canvas and start painting.