more under painting

I tried to remember to take photos after each painting session. There is very little bare canvas left at this point, so I have begun some of the over painting as I fill in the under painting.

under painting

Now it's time for the under painting. This is to lay down blocks of color which will create depth when the actual painting is done. When I teach beginners to paint the under painting is usually just one tone at a time, but I generally put in some of the detail in the under tone as well. When the whole painting is complete none of the underpainting will be left without a coat of paint applied on top. Even though acrylic is opaque the under painting will effect the final result, unless of course you make an error, then you can add enough layers to over come the issue. - oh, by the way - this is a fair sized canvas, 18x24.

Sketch on canvas

So after many sketches on paper, I usually use pencil to start and then black marker to finalize the lines, it's time to transfer these to the canvas. Using a lamp behind the canvas and placing the individual sketches on the underside of the canvas, so the lines show through to the top, helps get the correct position and size. Once I have the lightly sketched pencil lines just as I want them, I again use marker so I can see the lines through the first stages of painting.

Composing a painting

So OK here it is :
Like I said I had some 'painter's block' and have not finished a painting all fall. Many of the concepts I had just did not pan out, so I have been thinking about the act of composing, rather than the actual composition. When I have a block I often look through magazines, books, old calenders, and my own photos in hopes they spark an inspiration.
Keeping in mind that I was thinking of composing in a very physical way, I decided to compose a painting about composing. A painting of creation - the photos show my inspiration pictures, hands creating and some sea landscapes. I liked the weather beaten fence in one and the color of the waves in the other, I will improvise a sky, not having found one I liked.
Next comes hours of sketching on paper to get things right. I needed to use my own hands for some poses. More pictures to come as I transfer the ideas to canvas :)