While there may be slight differences depending on which paint medium I'm using (i.e. oil vs. acrylic), for the most part I use the same process on every single painting. So, if you're interested, keep reading, and make sure to check back every couple of days to follow this painting's progress. Also, you can follow this site by clicking on the "Follow" link on the right side of the page.
The Skeleton Stage:
OK, let's get into it. This painting is in what I call the "skeleton" stage. It doesn't look like much yet, but all of the key elements of the composition are mapped out on the canvas. It's very basic, without much detail, and it is how I make sure everything is where I want it. In this stage I can make adjustments as needed. I could change the shape or size of the jetty on the left, for instance, OR I could even change where the horizon line is if I wanted. For now, everything is pretty much laid out where I want it.
From here, you may notice that I have begun to develop the sky. The very first thing I always do on every piece of art is decide where the light is coming from! In my opinion, it is the most important element, because it helps you to determine where your lights and shadows are. Lighting is a big part of creating things like atmosphere, depth, and even tone (or the emotion you want to evoke from the viewer). From this point on, everything else I do with this painting will be guided by where the lights and shadows go.
While there is no "wrong," way to do art, I also prefer to paint from background-to-foreground, which is another reason why I am developing the sky first. If you have ever painted before, or even tried to color something with colored pencil or crayon, you may recall an annoying "halo," or outline around your subject that was not intended. Painting the background first, rather than trying to carefully fill it in around the subject afterwards, helps to avoid that halo effect. This makes your sky look like it is naturally flowing behind everything in the foreground without hindrance.
In this painting, the sun has just gone down, leaving only a remnant of light, mostly there in the middle. Since there is no direct sunlight shinning on anything, most of the foreground is actually going to be in shadows, with only hints or glows of light here and there. Because I have a good understanding of what light does when it shines on objects at different angles, this helps me know where the lights and shadows go, but only if I have established where the light source is coming from.
At Home Lighting Study:
Something you can do at home to study the effects of light on objects is to get a flashlight, and object (any object), and find a table or plain surface. You'll want to be in a room where you can control the light, so preferably away from a window. Set your object on the table, turn out the lights, and turn on your flashlight. Now, simply move your flashlight around the object to see where the light hits, and where the shadows are cast as a result. Change the angle of the flashlight a few times to see how it changes the effects.
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| Light source shinning almost directly above subject. |
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| Light source shinning from a lower angle, coming from the left. This would be similar to what you would see early to mid morning. OR, if you flip it around to put the light on the right, that would be more like early to mid evening, but not yet sunset hour. |
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| Light source shinning from below the "horizon," or just after the sun has gone down. This is close to the lighting/time of day I have chosen for this particular painting. |
In a landscape or seascape painting, the flashlight represents the sun. A sundial pretty much works the same way, just on a much larger scale.
Now that you're thinking about lighting, next time you're outside, take note of what time of day it is. How high in the sky is the sun? Then look around and see where the light hits different things, and where their subsequent shadows are. Watching a sunset or sunrise is a great time to do this, because the lights and shadows are so beautifully contrasted!
So by all means get outside and observe! If you find yourself suddenly seeing paintings everywhere, you may discover an inner artist waiting to come out!
Thanks for reading, and check back again to see how the lights and shadows develop in the next stage of this painting.
Many blessings to you, and stay healthy and kind!
Questions? Email me at: Jen@jelartcreations.com
Stages of a Painting- Part 2
