I got the idea to take progressive photos
of a developing painting. I was working on a portrait of a very cool dog
named Charlie, and I knew I would go through several stages over the
course of the work. So at the end of each session I took a photo, and
here they are:
Set The Composition
A
"session," as I call it, is a step in the process. It can take 10
minutes or 10 days depending on what my objective is for that session.
The purpose of each session is to set the canvas up for the next
session. No more. I've learned through (unfortunate) experience that, for me, getting ahead of the process is a mistake. So at this very vague stage I wanted to set the
composition and that is all. I stopped to let the
paint cure before moving on.
Begin The Drawing
The first stage is dry and cured. Now
I can start drawing. Working still in only one color, Transparent Oxide
Red. I chose this color for the underpainting because Charlie is a kind
of red blonde and this would give me a good warm tone to build from.
Plus, the earth tones are my favorite colors to draw with. Transparent
oxide red, Burnt Sienna, Raw Umbre and Burnt Umbre.
At
this point in the drawing I felt that I had a bit of Charlie's
personality peeping through the paint, so I stopped here to let the
paint cure again. Curing can take a few days up to 2 weeks.
Depends on the paint, the weather, and what the next step is to be.
Correct and Restate
Now
I'm correcting the earlier drawing, adding suggestions of the
background, adding Charlie's tail, which is part of his personality. I'm also consolidating areas of
light and dark. Using Burnt Sienna and Raw Umbre now. Also cooling the earth colors with some Ultramarine Blue.
Still Correcting and Restating
Fourth session and I'm still on the underpainting. Whew! At this point I'm impatient to get to the colors. It doesn't always take this long.
First Color Layers
Finally.
Charlie really jumps out of the background once some color is applied. I
usually work this stage until I finish, or until the paint "locks me
out," so to speak. Then it needs to cure again. But I'm happy with the canvas at this
point.
Working The Paint
Refining the color, working the background, closing in on the forms, adjusting hues and color temperatures. I work general to specific and large to small.
Details, Tying it Together
Details are the very last thing I do. I've known from the start what they will be, but they can't come until the end. The teeth, the curls of fur, the back lighting and highlights in the eyes. My friend Annie calls these things "the dessert." I like that description.
Charlie's a big happy boy, and has a great smiley face and alert stance and expressions. I think at this point I have caught his personality, so I am happy. The painting is now done. I still have to let it cure again, apply a layer of retouch varnish and cure it again.
Then we're ready to frame! For this painting I custom made the canvas to fit an antique frame that had been provided by Charlie's "Mom."
