Step by Step: Transfer from pencil sketch to oil painting

1 Pencil studies

Nothing beats drawing from a live model. With no time for detail, a short life-drawing pose forces me to draw the essential forms quickly. This not only sharpens my drawing skills, it stamps a better understanding of the figure in my mind for the painting stage.

2 Colour rough

The colour rough is a vague, miniature version of the painting. This is my most valuable preliminary stage because it has everything I need regarding value and colour strength. With the colour rough in the bag I know the painting will take care of itself.

3 Underpainting

As final preparation for painting I transfer a detailed pencil drawing on to my canvas. Here is the block-in stage, with some of the pencil still visible. I use mostly flat-edged, synthetic brushes to block-in the masses. This is the stuff that goes under the final painting layer.