Griz the Hatmaker - Oil on Canvas - 24x36

This is a blog I have been thinking about for a while. Many people have asked about my process. Well I tried to document this painting as much as I could to answer all your questions. 

My pallet consists of these colors. Click on the picture if you want to know what paint colors I use. I have a warm and a cool color of each of the primary colors. I play with substituting the cool blues. I am not in love with Phthalo Blue because it is really potent and tends to take over the painting if you over use it. My favorite color is Burnt Sienna but is has be the "Winsor and Newton Artist Colour" brand. It has a little bit more of an orange to it. I really like the way it paints. 

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On most of my paintings I will sketch out the basic idea in charcoal of where things are supposed to be in the painting. Sometimes I will just paint it in with a very light wash. I keep in mind concept, proportion, layout and try to plan out what the over all look of the painting will feel like. Believe it or not this is one of the most important steps in my opinion. If I don't get the drawing done correctly it will make later steps take a lot more time.  Also important thing to mention is that I try and wipe/rub off as much of the dust and charcoal as I can so it will not mix in to much with the paint. 

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Next I start underpainting. Most of this stage is trying to posterize the picture, meaning I try and find the lightest lights and darkest darks on the canvas. That way I can judge what the rest of the paintings colors and values. This can also be considered the toning phase. Many artists will tone the entire canvas before they even start. I do this occasionally but due to the fact I do a lot of underpainting I usually "tone" in sections I dont do it all in one color. I only tone the whole canvas when I paint plein air or paint outside.

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The next stages are more or less just working in half tones. and making sure the value is correct. I work and getting those lights and darks more noticeable. All the while always looking at making sure the drawing is still correct. As you may have noticed I did not get the ellipse on his hat correct in the original drawing. It was a struggle I had to deal with during the entire painting. I have to make sure all the solid colors are down before I start putting in small details. 

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There really should be one more picture between these 2 pictures. After I have all the colors down and I make sure that the drawing is still correct. I add all the details. The values on his face. The highlights are lighted to make sure everything turns and the little brushes come out. 

As I am looking at this painting while righting this blog I now think I need to lighten up the tag on the hat above his head. I am going to go do that.

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Here is the final product. Please leave comments either here or on facebook and tell me what you think of this post. Sorry I am not a great writer.

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