Painting a Day: T. J. Murphy
Daily painting exercises in tonal realism since February 2013; adorned with terrible puns since 2014.
Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Friday, 25 September 2026
Letterbox on Sidonia Road
Despite being a pacifist, I'd say that if anyone's daughter has pugilistic dreams, letterbox.
Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
Friday, 18 September 2026
Figure Study of Woman Wearing Robe
Painting a garment such as this might be referred to as a robic exercise.
Thanks to @victoriaamuse for being a model model.
Oil on canvas board, 16" x 12"
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Saturday, 12 September 2026
Garden Shed, Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, Daylesford
It's impossible for me to avoid reviving the obvious pun (used many, many moons ago) when this subject is about a shed, and light, and therefore it's about shedding light.
Oil on canvas board, 10" x 12"
Friday, 11 September 2026
Boathouse Restaurant, Daylesford
The restaurant cut a picturesque figure beside the lake that should have been easy to paint, but I think I made a meal of it.
Oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"
Monday, 7 September 2026
Friday, 4 September 2026
Portrait of Gabriel Gaté
It was a privilege to have popular chef and author Gabriel Gaté sit for our portrait group. He proved to be a commendable model, helping many a seasoned artist to cook up a chef d'oeuvre.
Oil on canvas board, 20" x 16"
Friday, 21 August 2026
Portrait of Elsa
Whilst I enjoy making puns about my artwork, I do my utmost to avoid making fun when a model is involved. This often poses a challenge.
Thanks to Elsa for posing so well.
Oil on canvas board, 16" x 12"
Monday, 10 August 2026
Mandarines with Willow Pattern Tea Caddy
Orange pekoe
Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"
P.S. This tea caddy would once have had a lid -- like a convertible American car, it's what the caddy lacks.
Sunday, 9 August 2026
Friday, 7 August 2026
Portrait of a Painter
Portrait of a young man as the artist.
Thanks to @rodrigo_lifemodel for enduring somnolent legs in order to hold the pose.
Oil on canvas board, 20" x 16"
Monday, 3 August 2026
Monday, 27 July 2026
Green Apples with Biscuit Barrel
Careful work was required on each item of fruit in this painting as I was acutely aware that one rotten apple would spoil the whole biscuit barrel.
Oil on canvas board, 12" x 16"
Friday, 24 July 2026
Figure Study: Woman of the Belle Époque
A scene with more than a few em-belle-ishments.
Thanks to model Jane who heroically held this cross-legged pose.
Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"
Monday, 20 July 2026
Mandarines and Lemons with Enamelware Saucepan
Mand'rins are orange, lemons are lemon,
Now I'm off the sauce(pan), I've delirium tremens.
Oil on canvas board, 16" x 20"



















