Candy Camper!

Hi there! It's been a super long time since I've posted. "What's new?" you ask...so many things! New baby, lot's of camping in the Eastern Sierras and I'm finally getting back to painting. Yay! I've decided to share my painting process...in words and pictures. I've never shown how a painting of mine occurs before so I hope ya dig it. 

Let's begin with the sketch...well, one of them. The original is about 3 inches square, pencil on paper. This one's a little larger and as you'll notice started in a completely different direction story-wise. Dead fish, a sea of oil...yep, that all changes once the color study is done. 

Color studies are something fairly new to my process. They're quick, loose and fun to create. I mix colors I wouldn't normally mix and there's no pressure. Making the color study ahead of time helps to minimize the time I spend staring at a painting trying to figure where I'm going with it. They also become kind of a keepsake for me as the original pieces sell. This is all acrylic paint.

Next...preparation. I switched to painting on wood many years ago and haven't painted on canvas in a decade. I don't gesso, just a little sanding and a light wash of color. I usually try to choose a color that will enhance the colors that I've chosen to use. Marigold, turquoise and hot pink are some of my favorites. This is a pretty rough piece of plywood. I was worried the grain of the wood would overwhelm the piece but so far I really like the effect of the crackly surface.

And now to get the sketch on the wood. I never, ever, ever paint without the exact sketch stenciled on. I feel like my sketches hold so much of the movement and personality that drive me to turn them into paintings. As a piece progresses, I find, I lose a little of what I loved so much about the sketch to begin with. 

Blown up, printed out and taped up on the wood. Old school, baby! I use carbon/graphite paper for the transfer.

Once I've gotten a solid drawing on my wood I use a blue-gray to create a map of where the shadows may be. Under painting. I paint in thin, watery layers so this is just the foundation of where the darker areas will be.

Now it's time to get to the colors! I've started with the figure first. Not sure what the plan is for the background quite yet, but that doesn't mean I can't paint what I'm sure of. Lot's and lots of layers so far and still many more to go, but you can see how I'm starting to build up my colors and give Miss Violet some depth.

Got a ways to go yet...stay tuned!