Beginning to End - the Process

If we break things down into smaller steps, even complex processes can seem achievable. As kids, we're given paints, pens or pencils to create with, and we just go for it. Usually we make our outlines and then fill in the spaces. It was simple and fun.

Time goes on, and we become aware the artwork of others and wonder how they do it, then wonder how we can do it. It is at this point, that for most people the art journey stops, when they give up in the face of apparent complexity. Even for those of us who persist beyond this point, it can be years before we discover or are taught time tested methods of building up images.

You can see I've marked out the image on a prepared canvas, using a grid. However, my gridding makes use of diagonal lines. I have found this be far more intuitive for orientating the image. For me, using a straight square grid resulted in things not quite matching up or looking natural.

I use a pastel pencil to make the marks. Some people use a fixative so that it does not move when paint is applied. Graphite should be avoided because it is lubricant and does not bond with anything.

With the first application of paint, I am working in a wash of one colour, oil paint thinned out with turpentine. Some people might even use acrylics at this point. However for me, the turps thinned paint dries in a satisfactory time. It has the added advantage, that with more turps applied, it can still be move for a little longer.

I work with a limited palette based on earth tones. It is amazing the range of colours that be created from these.

The painting is then blocked in over the original wash sketch. Once that is done, I can move on to transitions and finer adjustments in colour and contrast to balance out the overall image.

While signing the painting might usually be the last step, framing it really gives it that added finish.

That's a quite a brief summary of the steps involved. Of course there are many more in between, but my purpose is to write a blog post, not a book... yet. ;-)

I have prints of this painting available on my RedBubble store.

"At the Centre of it All", Leo Plaw, 24 x 30cm, oil on canvas
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