Where we left off...Picking up where we left off in Part 1 I was explaining how I try to work the entire canvas in passes trying ( and usually failing ) to give equal time and attention to the painting as a whole rather then over working ( like I did the face ) one piece. With this in mind, I will still begin to add larger details like the line work on the stockings. For an element like this, I will place it on a separate layer to allow easy editing or removal if it just isn't working. An element like the stockings could easily make or break the entire piece if they look weird or out of place. To make sure it looked correct I found several pieces of reference to see how the line work of stocking will wrap around an actual leg. I decided the best way to accomplish the look I was going for was to lay down paths using the pen tool and then to stroke the the paths using a custom brush. I was very happy with the end result.
Stockings addedBy now everything has had some sort of attention paid to it, though as you can clearly see, some areas more then others. At this point I am really fighting the urge to start super detailing. I realize this is a good sign that I like were I am going with this piece as a whole. I stay focused and continue to work the entire canvas starting in the middle and working out from the face and hand.
The magic and the alligator begin to take shapeNow the detail work can begin. I start to lay down some of the lightest and darkest of values to begin to push and pull areas. I pay a lot more attention to detailing areas like the hair and scales. This is the point in the painting I do a lot more siting and observing of the painting. One of the greatest teachers I have ever had, Ed Love, explained that the act of making art is a conversation between the piece and the artist, a back in forth of mark making and responses to those marks. He taught me that some of the most important moments during the creation of art is during those moments you simply sit, observe, and THINK. I know some painters will turn their paintings to the wall for a while to get a fresh perspective. I stare and observe. This is when I address areas that are not working, look odd, or where I realized I made an actual error. I also begin to finalize the foreground and add last details such as the blades of grass ( on their own layer ).
Much better... and almost done!Lastly I lay down the absolute brightest and darkest values and try to make the areas of importance really pop and draw the eye in. I give everything one last pass, making sure everything is working together to create the desired finished image. Finally, I consider this piece finished, though most likely some areas will need additional work once the text and content begin to be placed. I also still need to prepare a gray scale version of this image, but this will also need to wait for the finalized content.
All finishedCheck back later as I will bring you Part 3 as soon as I am provided with the final content. I plan to cover any alternations needed to the painting, the lay out and arranging of the text and content and the creation of the gray scale image.
Part 3 is now up and can be see HERE.
Part 3 is now up and can be see HERE.
For more samples of my work or to contact me regarding my availability head over to my website: www.christopherburdett.com
