A step by step Process combing figure painting with landscape

 

For those of you wanting to know more about alla prima methods and value based painting, here is a little demo of my most recent painting, “The Three Muses.”

This is the finished work is sold, but giclees and APs are available for sale.

Below are the various stages with commentary.  Enjoy!!

 

 

 

 

 

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1- In my initial lay in I establish
the value patterns and begin the composition.
I am using several different source materials.
I am morphing them in a simple thumbnail,
and working directly from the various sources.

 

 

 

 

2-Here I lay in the three figures.  My objective
is to form them into a single “object” so they make
a cohessive statement about unity of purpose.

 

 

 

 

3-Continued refinement, using value shapes to
see where my drawing needs to be developed.

 

 

 

 

4-More refinement of the figures and developing
of color arrangement, keeping a limited palette.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5- More adjustments in the drawing, moving
shapes around, using negative shapes, finding
linear relationships, abstracting shapes.  No details
or features.

 

 

 

 

6-Working back to front, the figure furthest
away is more developed so I can paint the other
figures over her.

 

 

 

 

 

7-More refinement of the figures.  If
they are not right, there’s no point in
continuing the painting.

 

 

 

 

 

8-Now I begin to develop other areas, again
focusing on value shapes rather than
describing things.

 

 

 

 

9-At this point I am adjusting edges to help
direct the eye through the painting.