Fine Art
Painting
Preliminary
Drawing
Nudes
Friends & Artists

Preliminary
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This is an example of one style, or approach, to painting from life. First a detailed drawing is done on the canvas, this allows the artist to closely observe the subject and gain familarity with the challenges of the current setting. Next a color study is done, this is not a small painting, but more of a color chart meant to find the dark, middle and light areas of the subject reguardless of their form. These steps eliminate guess work at the time of working on the final painting accuracy and paint surface can then be focused on.
  
Color Study 5" x 8"

 
 
Denise at eight months, Oil on Linen, 16" x 12", 1992 (unfinished)
 
 
Detail, actual size 5" x 5" at 72 ppi


This approach to painting works from the darkest area out, attaching each piece of paint to the ajacent area to insure the the tonal relationships for the entire canvas are kept in balance. After this first pass is completed a second pass is done to accent the details.
All images are © Denis McFarling