Hello everyone! I got the idea from sdefnall to photograph my next painting to stages so everyone can see how I do it. Well, here it is!
For this painting I choose a rooster that recently died. I had a great photo reference of him and a spare canvas (I buy pre-stretched ones), so I had to draw him onto the canvas. I didn't expend too much effort drawing him because I use a projector. Most artists detest the modern convenience of projectors for various reasons. Some say it takes away from the artist's ability to draw, others say it is cheating. On the other hand, I wanted to paint the rooster in detail and for that I needed to use the projector to get the proportions right. (first picture) With the drawing complete in pencil (without erasing to prevent eraser dust from sticking to the canvas), I had to start painting the background. This background is simple with blurred colors and shapes so it won't distract from the rooster's portrait. I use wet on wet techniques with a large brush (and at times, my hands) to make the colors blend together just right. The light spots and blue hue accent the colors the rooster will have (it gets changed during the detail process to have more blue in it). It takes me several hours to get the background just right. Thankfully, the brand of paint I use is designed to have long drying times for situations such as this. The basic colors of the subject come next. I keep the colors basic and I use wet on wet painting techniques (blending mostly). I paint just enough to tell what the subject is, but I work quickly as to not overdo any particular section. I try to paint from back to front, to keep overlapping sections looking natural. The head was painted first (only because it was my favorite part), but after that I worked in order from the left side of the body, to the darker bottom part, and then the white middle and sides. The dark, feathery gobble was last. Completing the basic colors is only half of the painting; however, it is the most important part. Without the basic colors, I can get lost and overwhelmed by the details (second picture is of basic colors). Some artists stop there, but I go a bit further. With the basic colors completed, I have to add extra shadows and highlights, put more definite lines with washed color, and make things as clear or faded as I desire to create the finished product. Detailing is done with wet on dry painting methods such as washes and feathering. Then, I have a completed work of art!
Hope you all enjoyed the explanation (sorry for the wordiness!) Thanks!
Cara Bevan
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