I don't usually make a record of my painting process. I'm usually too engrossed in putting paint on the surface to take the time to stop and photograph each step. But since I teach landscape painting, I decided it would be helpful to my students to see how I go from a sketch to the finished painting. So, for what it's worth, here's my process....
Step #1: the pencil sketch on a gessoed Ampersand hardbord panel.
Step #2: the first big defining washes of color using Holbein's acrylic gouache -- over-bright because I know I will tone them down with subsequent layers. I find it's easier to tone down intense color rather than vice-versa. Besides, bright color is fun!
Step #3: the addition of the warm earth tones to play off against the cool blues and greens.
Step #4: More definition in the rain puddles and some initial layers of grass texturing.
Step #5: Ooops, big jump here. Well that's what happens when I get deeply engrossed in the act of painting -- I can't stop. But you can see I've added lots of layers of warm tones over the green under-painting, as I defined the grasses with long vertical brushstrokes. Voila, the finished painting.
1 comment:
Geologically the prairies were originally oceans. In your painting it is almost as though the ocean is trying to peek through.
Call it: After the Ice Age.
Post a Comment