Josh League: Spring 2011

Painting Steps
1) Gesso canvas with large brush.

· Allow to totally dry before continuing.

2) Tone the canvas using mineral spirits and burnt sienna oil paint.
3) Use view finder to determine composition of painting.

· This can be made by cutting out two “L” shaped pieces of mat-board.

4) Paint abstract forms of still life objects with burnt sienna and mineral spirits onto the canvas.
5) Go back and firm up the abstract shapes of the still life objects.
6) Using local color of objects in the still life, paint block in the still life objects onto the canvas.

Cover the canvas
The purpose is to get the canvas covered and to hold places for the still life objects. Objects should be painted in local values using a thin transparent layer of paint.

· Vase and Black Book – Mix: blue + red + yellow = black/grey.

· Red Book – Mix: cadmium + alizarin + red + adding small amount of yellow ochre.

Bowl – Mix: burnt sienna + orange + red.

Techniques:

· Drag the brush rather than using the point to apply the paint. This is to achieve a feeling of movement in the strokes of the painting.

· Strokes are made with the thin side of the largest possible brush.

· The paint is mixed on the easel to achieve the colors of objects.

· Allow some of the under color to show through when blocking in.

Focal Point:

· To determine the focal point of the still life divide the canvas into thirds horizontally and vertically.

· Points of intersection should determine the placement of the main focal points of the painting.

· Focal points must be in odd numbers 1,3,5 etc,

      ·     There must be one main center of interest.

Paint Brush Techniques:
  ·   Use the largest brush possible.
· Use the thin side of the brush to make strokes. Do not use the point of the brush.
     · Drag the brush over the canvas.