My Art in the Making The Burning Bush
Reference Photo
The vision, image or photograph in my opinion is key. This is the inspiration that drives the artist to the canvas. No matter what subject matter or style one is painting, there needs to be inspiration. The reference photo I am using was taken along the shorelines of Lake Wahnapitei located just outside my small hometown of Capreol, which is now part of the Greater City of Sudbury in Ontario. Nature is my culprit and my inspiration for most of my subject matter. I am surrounded by nature in northern Ontario, which I am so fortunate that many parts our landscape is still untouched giving me an opportunity to capture the moment before our environment and surroundings changes.
STAGE 1 DRAWING
I prep my canvas by toning it with a mixture of Gamblin Galkyd mixed with burnt umber set to dry. Toning the canvas ensures the painting’s mid-tones are established. Once dry I then transfer the image to size; basically just doing a rought sketch ensuring that what’s in the forefront and background are in proportion with each other before starting to apply paint.
STAGE 2 BLOCKING
I first start by blocking in the dark tones first creating depth but mostly giving me a guide and a visual sense of direction as I go along.
STAGE 3 BACKGROUND
My focus at this stage is to start applying colours to the sky and background. I will start by mixing the exact colours and laying down the right tones slowly working my way into light details, before moving into the forefront of my painting.
STAGE 4 FOREFRONT
At this stage unifying both the distance and forefront will start adding dimension and start giving me a good indication on being careful with my dark colours vs my warm colours.
STAGE 5 PROGRESS IN THE WORKS
Now is where I start to break all rules and will break away from the forefront to working details I am noticing and adding them in as I go along while continuing working on the forefront of my painting.
STAGE 6 MODIFYING AND ADDING DETAILS TO THE FINISHED WORK
The Burning Bush, oil, 20 x 16" At this final stage many would think I have completed my painting but on the contrary this is where I step back and look at my work with a fresh look adding darks, highlights and details to where I feel they are needed until I am fully satisfied and then the painting is finally signed.