I can still remember the first time I tried to oil paint. My hand was so unsteady. I wasn't used to painting on an easel. As time passed, I learned different ways to hold the brush and support my arm and hand. I wear gloves while painting because I can be clumsy, sometimes dropping my brush, and the table easel tends to collapse, particularly if it is trying to support a large canvas.
Painting has taught me patience. I painted this oil painting during four- hour sessions and in a cramped space. Sometimes I had to paint very close to the canvas as well to add details.
I drew an outline of the still life on blank newspaper. This took time. In addition, I had to cover the back of the newspaper with graphite pencil. The graphite pencil served as a transfer medium. However, I transferred the drawing to a canvas quickly by simply going over it with a pencil. Early on, I traced over half of the bowl and glass to check if they were symmetrical. Also, toning the canvas (imprimatura) was easy. I used a rag or paint brush plus liquin to thin the paint. However, I now use walnut oil and walnut alkyd since neither are toxic.
I devoted most of my time to observing colors in their many shades and the way the light produced shadows and highlights. I paid particular attention to hard, soft, and lost edges.
When I finished for the day after I cleaned up, that's when I saw errors and had to wait to try to fix them the following day. This was frustrating because I wanted to fix them right away. But at least I had the opportunity to see the errors and try to improve the painting. Sometimes my drawings were good but when I painted over them, I added distortions. I don't know why this happened. I think when I paint I am not aware of everything that I should be observing. But in the end, I managed to create a decent piece.
Painting has taught me patience. I painted this oil painting during four- hour sessions and in a cramped space. Sometimes I had to paint very close to the canvas as well to add details.
I drew an outline of the still life on blank newspaper. This took time. In addition, I had to cover the back of the newspaper with graphite pencil. The graphite pencil served as a transfer medium. However, I transferred the drawing to a canvas quickly by simply going over it with a pencil. Early on, I traced over half of the bowl and glass to check if they were symmetrical. Also, toning the canvas (imprimatura) was easy. I used a rag or paint brush plus liquin to thin the paint. However, I now use walnut oil and walnut alkyd since neither are toxic.
I devoted most of my time to observing colors in their many shades and the way the light produced shadows and highlights. I paid particular attention to hard, soft, and lost edges.
When I finished for the day after I cleaned up, that's when I saw errors and had to wait to try to fix them the following day. This was frustrating because I wanted to fix them right away. But at least I had the opportunity to see the errors and try to improve the painting. Sometimes my drawings were good but when I painted over them, I added distortions. I don't know why this happened. I think when I paint I am not aware of everything that I should be observing. But in the end, I managed to create a decent piece.