"Naiad" (16x12 oil on panel) painting process

Good morning. Since joining Steemit yesterday, I've been digging back into past paintings and sharing process photos and some thoughts for each one. Here's the painting process for "Naiad", which was painted around the same time period as "Left Turn" (in my previous post). Same model as well!

First stage. Loose (but accurate in proportions) block in with umber to establish shape of shadow:

Next stage. I start painting directly in color. The challenge is to achieve accurate values even though I'm altering skin colors:

Next stage. My paintings are often very simple in concept. I'm drawn to the power and drama that can be found in simple visual ideas. Sometimes additional narrative ideas or deeper meanings begin to emerge after that initial visual spark, and sometimes not. Red dress with green everything else...simple.

Next stage:

Next stage:

Next stage:

Next stage:

Next stage:

Next stage. Refining details, pushing values (sorry for the dark photo):

And the finished painting:

Thanks for reading! -David

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