8" x 10" Original Acrylic on Canvas Portrait (Step 2)
Today, I'm going to show you the next step in my commissioned portrait--8' x 10" acrylic on canvas. To begin, here is the freehand drawing from my last post...
From this initial sketch done in colored pencil, I then sealed in the sketch with clear acrylic matte medium.
Next, I added a "toning layer" which is matte medium mixed with a tiny portion of titanium white, raw sienna, and burnt sienna. The purpose of this layer is to mute the harshness of the sketch down, and also to provide a little bit of flesh tone coloring on the face.
Step 2: The Initial Value Block-In
After that, I painted just a light glaze over the top using raw umber dark, thinned down with matte medium. The first thing I want to do is darken in the hair, because that value is the darkest, and it will provide immediate contrast for the painting. It helps "map" out the values for the rest of the picture.
It takes some patience to paint with the glazing technique, but the benefits outweigh the time, I believe. You get more depth, smoother shading, and increased luminosity in the color. You can also darken entire areas without obliterating your detail work.
Maybe the best part is: You never have white areas of the canvas staring you in the face! You are "cycling" between different areas. When one part dries you go to the next. Then you come back to it again after that part is dry.
Basically the painting starts off by looking faded and dream-like, and then slowly "develops" (remember those old polaroid cameras?) into reality.
So, in theory, you can be 90% of the way done on a painting, and call it done. And most people will never know. But if you struggle with perfectionism, like me, you usually take it all the way to 100%. :)
The Development of this Portrait So Far
Reference photo | Step 1: Sketch | Step 2: Initial Value Block-In
I'll continue to show you more progress in future posts. Is this helpful or interesting? Let me know in the comments below!
All the best,
If you like this post, please comment, upvote, follow me ( @mattphilleo ) and resteem. I post regularly on art, tips on painting and drawing, and encouraging thoughts. You are helping me to do art full-time and support a family. Thank you so much!--Matt
See more of my artwork at: MattPhilleo.com