Overflowing and a Demo

Overflowing, 10 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2014

Workshop Demo - NFS

This is the second demo I did for my work-shoppers last week. Several of you have written to ask about my process and what I was teaching. Although I didn't get process shots of either piece I painted in class, below is a series of paintings from my handout that show my general approach. Of course, this is greatly simplified (you have to come to the class for the long version - wink, wink) but hopefully, you will get the gist.

Under Drawing Block In

Consider this a road map of your composition.

Identify and separate shadow family from light family.

 Establish Values in Color

Paint SHAPES of color and light.

(SQUINT DOWN for large masses.)

Add Subtle Shifts

Break up major shapes with subtle value and temperature shifts to suggest detail.

Add Highlights, lowlights, calligraphy

These are the finishing touches - Save till last!

I do love still life work and believe that painting from life in the studio is incredibly good practice. DO try this at home! :)

Tea and Lemons Value Study

Tea and Lemon Value Study, L. Daniel, 10 x 8

In a couple of weeks I am going to the Weekend with the Masters workshops in CA. The 4-day event is put on by Amreican Artist Magazine. In preparation, I am devoting myself to value studies. One of my instructors, Daniel Pinkham, suggested that the best way to become a colorist is to study value (the relative levels of darks and lights within a subject). I know this is one of the greatest challenges for most painters, so no complaints on this assignment from me. I actually love doing these! Below you see my palette at the end of a value study. Yep, just black and white and one #10 brush (that is pretty big for an 8 x 10, keeps me from getting too caught up in details.)