I did this for a local art competition at the Art Experience in Venice, Florida. The subject was 'Hands at Work'. 

 

The most difficult thing for me was getting a decent set of reference photos for the painting. It took me several hours to photograph my hands in this position. I was alone and the camera was on a tripod, set on a timer. I had to reach round in front of the camera with the needle and thread, and get my hand composure correct before the shutter fired without stabbing myself. Several hundred photos later, two pricked fingers, plus a bad backache, I finally had the one I wanted.

 

The painting was relatively straightforward compared to the photo session.