I started this portrait several years ago. Originally the subject was almost completely in silhouette and the painting had a very stagnant feel. That happens sometimes… It was great that I had the luxury of working on this painting at my leisure, devoid of deadlines… but also of inspiration. I would get frustrated and only work on it every now and then – I was truly stuck!
So I put it away…
Several years later, the subject of the painting transformed to my fiancé… I knew I had to finish it… And through a photo shoot for a portrait that her mother commissioned - I found an image… I started working on the painting again about 3 weeks before the “big day.” Having several paintings that were on strict deadlines before December 15 - it was a challenge (the wedding was on the 20th).
Needless to say, I did finish the painting and it was only slightly wet on the wedding day : )
This is the way I begin most of my oil paintings – after doing thumbnail (small) pencil sketches o n paper and deciding on the best composition, I will then stretch the canvas (I use imported Belgium Linen Claessens 13dp) and sketch out the painting using a thin layer of paint or a pencil.
Here is how I started the portrait: “Rachel’s Sunrise”
1. Find the image that you wish to paint… From a photograph or your imagination!
2. Do several thumbnail sketches until you find the composition that fits you’re the vision you have for your painting.
3. Stretch or buy a canvas to paint on.
4. Sketch out your painting by using a pencil or a thin application of paint. I mix a brown or grey with a good bit of turpentine so that there is no paint buildup when I begin – it is easier to correct mistakes at this point. I used a very loose pencil sketch for this particular painting.
5. Find your color scheme and direction – I really wanted to keep the entire painting very golden and not have a severe change of value throughout the painting.
6. Begin your painting by using broad strokes – don’t get too bogged down in detail! Have fun with it!
7. Finish it!
How do I know when it is finished? Salvador Dali said a painting is never truly finished until the artist is dead – but you can get it close : ) Work on it until it makes YOU happy – that is when it is truly finished!
Let me know what you think and how your painting turns out!!
Jace
