Go to Woe

First of all, please excuse the quality of the following photos. I'm bringing iPod photography more and more into my routine, and it's super easy to get a running look at how any given painting is developing.

The following is one of those looks.

On the iPod: "Powerless" by Linkin Park (got it on playlist and then shuffle - could be an interesting morning music-wise.)

In the Tea Cup: Ginger tea. (After 3 cups of Lady Grey - will be in for a couple of dunny-runs this morning I think.)

Yesterday I broadened my Oil-A-Day Challenge to include any media. Today, predictably, I want to paint in oils.

Step One: Find something to paint on. In this case a 10 by 12 inch cotton covered board.

Step Two: Base Coat.

The base coat for my oil paintings is usually acrylics - they dry quickly and I can get the boring bit out of the way. Colour choice today of Raw Sienna and Deep Yellow. Raw Sienna's a warm colour, but I want it Super Warm.

(now on the iPod is "Knee Deep" -Featuring Jimmy Buffet, by the Zac Brown Band)

Had a bit of a study of my reference material while waiting for base coat to dry.

This piece is a bit of a blenders heaven, and nothing blends better than oils.
A lot of this painting is about colour temperature, as most of the reference photos I took I used a warm filter, shallow depth of field and included interesting visual focal points. . . come on paint.

Step Three: Palette Preparation. (For a colour blind person like me it could be called "Pick which colours I think and see how we go.)
(James Blunt on iPod.)

Step 4: Blocking in Highlights and low lights. Used Juan Brilliant when White was too much of a high light.

Step 5: Fill in detail a bit. Add texture and depth to flowers, added wild oats. My favourite plants to look at right now, love watching them in the wind. They're so graceful.

Cuppa time. (and chocolate)

A bit of Florence and the Machine on the iPod. Rosehip tea in the mug.

Step 6. Barbed wire. Started with highlights and then low-lights. 

And done.

This isn't about painting the things in the reference material. This is about painting the light on the things in the reference material. Not unsatisfied with it as a warm up painting. 

(now on iPod "Whiskey River" - from Stars and Guitars, Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow, live. )

Have a good one.