Using Prismacolor pencils (I find they work well for me as the pencil marks seem to dissolve when painted over), sketch out the main points of the painting.
Master essential painting techniques in this exciting step-by-step painting guidance.Learn how to paint with oils and charcoals from master.Follow artist’s steps and tips.You will be able to know their materials which used in their art.
Using Prismacolor pencils (I find they work well for me as the pencil marks seem to dissolve when painted over), sketch out the main points of the painting.
STEP ONE
Do a basic charcoal outline, always in free hand, even if it takes hours with many failed attempts.
The first thing I do when I enter my studio is put on a CD. Music helps to create the ambience and sets the mood.
This is the hardest step; finding a subject. Once that hurdle is overcome, I complete my drawing on tracing paper as it’s much easier to rub out mistakes or even turf out the drawing and start a new.
Lightly draw out with a HB pencil the outline of the gumtree, horizon line and the mountains. Mix Cobalt Blue and Titanium White and paint the top of the sky.
After a sketch, the painting started with a very thin wash of colours to cover the canvas, then I was wiping out some paint washes and correcting the painting to get the composition to sit.
The tree in this painting is growing in the open, with a well-formed canopy. It is rather symmetrical (not unlike a light bulb). Being placed to the left of centre it is balanced by the much smaller and distant tree to the right and a shrub to the left.
When I begin a painting, I seek to arrange the composition as best I can. Drawing and placement of the elements is important at this stage.
I do a thumbnail sketch of the composition I have in mind. While the thumbnail sketch shown is very loosely done, I have at the back of my mind a very detailed vision of how the finished painting will look like.