I’ve just finished a painting which is a little unusual so thought I’d share my process with you.
I often use photos as a way to collage together an idea which I can then paint to appear seamless. I like using different photo reference and sometimes use Photoshop to edit together and play with a composition before painting it. I suppose it’s like a preparatory sketch only I can move things around on the screen until I’m happy.
I did a smaller version of a similar painting as an illustration for a poem a couple of years ago and always liked this idea and intended to do a bigger version. So here it is…
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| No title for this yet but it’s 27″ x 15″ pastel on velour. |
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| This is the photo I based the painting on. Carn wind farm can be seen in the distance from my window but it’s a much different perspective being right up close to them. |
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| I really liked the idea of using pinwheels instead of the turbine propellors just as a way of injecting a bit of fun and colour to the composition. Once I decided on my overall layout I photographed my homemade pinwheel from all the angles I’d need with a lamp creating the direction of the sunlight just so my shadows in the painting would be accurate. |
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| My drawing on the velour I start to block in the sky and build up the gradient from dark down to light at the horizon. |
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| Once I’m happy with the smoothness of the blue I can begin the clouds using warm peachy tones. |
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| As always working down and from the background to foreground so I can get the edges nice and clean. Here I’m layering in the shadow tones first and filling in the yellow. |
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| I’ve then added the highlights to the pinwheel which gives it the feeling of light hitting it. |
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| All pinwheels done, onto the landscape which I want to keep loose and vibrant. |
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| Working my way to the foreground I’m using very few colours in this landscape and trying to leave it loose. |