Step-by-step: Sketching and adding details

1 I proceed as I would do when painting traditionally. I start with a quick sketch of the jug and the two glasses with a small, hard- edged brush, bearing in mind proportions and perspective. Drawing diagonals on the canvas helps me keep the composition’s key elements in focus. Once I’m happy with my sketch I lay down basic colours using the Lasso and Fill tools.

2 This is a delicate phase because choosing colours similar to those that our eye perceives can really make a difference in the success of my painting. Of course, working digitally means I can easily correct my colours, unlike with traditional techniques. With a large hard- edged brush I sketch lights and shadows, noting that with a cold light I have warm shadows tones.

3 I add details. First I define the cloth with a smaller, softer- edged brush. I paint darker shadows where the fabric overlaps. Before moving on to glass objects, I paint the light reflected on the fabric folds, picking up the colour with the Eyedropper tool from the well-lit areas of the wine glass (which in this case is a bright and saturated red) and the water jug.

4 I paint the glass and the jug on a new layer, using the Eraser tool to create the transparent effect. As well as being transparent, glass is also reflective so I create another layer and I paint the reflections of the drapery on the wine glass. I use a brush with a soft edge to avoid overcooking them. Finally, I detail the objects and paint the blue lines that run across the cloth.