John Byrne's original design Read More about John Byrne's original design

John Byrnes original design, using acrylic and gouache on paper for the King’s theatre dome, the title  ‘All the World’s a Stage’ depicts a swirling celestial scene, where a black harlequin carries the sun through the clouds and a flame-haired woman, draped in a star-cloth banner, pushes the moon through the sky.

Composite panorama depicting the entire dome Read More about Composite panorama depicting the entire dome

Composite panorama depicting the entire dome, with the original painting and plasterwork. The domed ceiling of the auditorium, which had greatly deteriorated over the years, was repaired and replastered and now requires repainting. As the remaining trompe l'oeil decoration of the dome is not original and was painted in 1985, this presented the Trust with an opportunity to commission a new design in a more contemporary style, that would become an attraction its own right and greatly enhance the King's Theatre.

Plaster gilded crown half cleaned shows the accumulation of dust and debris over the decades Read More about Plaster gilded crown half cleaned shows the accumulation of dust and debris over the decades

Panorama of the primed dome, prepared for outlining Read More about Panorama of the primed dome, prepared for outlining

The entire dome spans 12m in diameter and is approximately 1.5m high giving an  approx. area of 57m2 the box shaped free standing scaffold inside the King’s theatre disconcertingly swayed as painters ascended or descended ladders, and John said “it’s like painting on a bouncy castle,”…..so if I had to make a long exposure or take shots in sequence  it had to be done when the workers were on a break and as there were teams of artists and painters this was not always easy.

The original painting had to be projected onto the curved dome ceiling Read More about The original painting had to be projected onto the curved dome ceiling

Against a white primed dome, and using digital projectors, the original painting was digitized and projected upwards onto the curved dome ceiling, position and scale is critical, and had to be accurately measured, artists then outlined the design in paint.

Applying a soft wash similar to watercolour as a base for additional layers of paint Read More about Applying a soft wash similar to watercolour as a base for additional layers of paint

There was no daylight this was a problem because the artists and painters had differing lighting needs, the painters needed small 110 volt 80watt portable tungsten light at 2500k, the artists needed high power 500watt halogen lighting to maximize illumination covering large areas of the dome evenly, and to approximately match daylight at 5000k to match paint colour, every time I was on site the lighting changed as workers moved around. I needed to get a soft painterly light in my images to match the original painting but the lighting was harsh and mixed I tried various methods to get this right including flash, also a ring flash it gives a softer feel to the light but nothing worked all too harsh. Eventually I used a mix of long exposures (when the scaffolding stopped swaying) and against my better judgment increased the ISO. Increases the sensitivity of the digital sensor.

Using a ruler and brush to produce a star effect, on the flame-haired woman’s banner Read More about Using a ruler and brush to produce a star effect, on the flame-haired woman’s banner

Panorama of the dome with high resolution scanned prints, to represent the full scale image, determining detail and texture Read More about Panorama of the dome with high resolution scanned prints, to represent the full scale image, determining detail and texture

Blocking in and adding texture and shadow to the theatrical masks comedy and tragedy Read More about Blocking in and adding texture and shadow to the theatrical masks comedy and tragedy

Showing the scale of the 57m2 dome Read More about Showing the scale of the 57m2 dome

The artists are dwarfed by the enormous legs as they paint the centre cornice and clouds.

John Byrne with his design adds some touches to the face of the large female figure Read More about John Byrne with his design adds some touches to the face of the large female figure

Spraying clouds on the outer edge of the dome, giving texture and a soft effect in contrast to the solid figures Read More about Spraying clouds on the outer edge of the dome, giving texture and a soft effect in contrast to the solid figures

Final varnish, overall protective layer with four coats of emulsion glaze Read More about Final varnish, overall protective layer with four coats of emulsion glaze

Panorama of the auditorium, with the painting platform, and scaffolding Read More about Panorama of the auditorium, with the painting platform, and scaffolding

John at the end of the project relaxing with a cup of tea Read More about John at the end of the project relaxing with a cup of tea

Final image of the completed dome, viewed from the stalls Read More about Final image of the completed dome, viewed from the stalls