Following is the series of steps used to create "Finished Painting", a 30" by 22" pastel painting completed in the spring of 2009.
For this painting, Winsor & Newton pastels were used on Stonehenge pastel paper.
The technique begins by sketching the composition down on the piece of paper. Then a layer of complimentary color covering the entire piece of paper. This method was taught to me by the master painter, Megan Marlatt. Over this initial layer, the main color forms are drawn. Then details are filled in to finish the composition.
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This picture shows part of the initial complimentary color layer. Examples are the pink areas will eventually be completely covered by the green pastel, and the blue brush tips will become yellow.
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Step 2, where the inherent colors are placed down, is finished in this photo. Next, each object is taken close to completion. I did all of the paint tubes first and then the brushes and then the cloth.
For this painting, Winsor & Newton pastels were used on Stonehenge pastel paper.
The technique begins by sketching the composition down on the piece of paper. Then a layer of complimentary color covering the entire piece of paper. This method was taught to me by the master painter, Megan Marlatt. Over this initial layer, the main color forms are drawn. Then details are filled in to finish the composition.
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This picture shows part of the initial complimentary color layer. Examples are the pink areas will eventually be completely covered by the green pastel, and the blue brush tips will become yellow.Although the technique of using a complimentary undercoat can be disconcerting initially, it results in very rich tones throughout the finished painting. In order to keep track of the complimentary colors, I use a color wheel that is divided into 12 section instead of the usual six.
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At this point, all of the complimentary colors in the background is covered. The brush tips are still blue as are the areas of the paint rag. Complimentary shadows have also been placed down on the actual background color.
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At this point, all of the complimentary colors in the background is covered. The brush tips are still blue as are the areas of the paint rag. Complimentary shadows have also been placed down on the actual background color.-------------------------------------
This shows the continuation of the second step where the complimentary colors are replaced with the color inherent to the object. This picture below shows about half of this process completed. the other half still must be done.
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In this photo, I began step 3 which is working each object towards its completed form. One tube of paint is now at this point (the brush handle underneath is still in stage two). Once all of the objects are almost completed, I will work the entire piece all at once to unify everything.
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In this photo, I began step 3 which is working each object towards its completed form. One tube of paint is now at this point (the brush handle underneath is still in stage two). Once all of the objects are almost completed, I will work the entire piece all at once to unify everything. ----------------------------------------
Step 2, where the inherent colors are placed down, is finished in this photo. Next, each object is taken close to completion. I did all of the paint tubes first and then the brushes and then the cloth.
