Catch Anything?

 Catch Anything? 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

Painting Progression

Here's a step by step demonstration.  I don't always work this way, but because my classes start next week, thought it would be a good idea to slow down and record how I created this painting as a mini lesson for my students.

1.  Worked from a photo I took last summer.  This mother and child appeared next to me while I was painting on a dock in Osprey.  Asked permission to photograph them, although I snapped this one before they were aware of me taking photos.  Afterwards, it was all teeth and grins with nothing useful as painting material.   Painted with ultramarine blue on a gray mid-toned panel.  Worked on values and composition with careful drawing.

2.  Painted brightest light where the sun patterns were with white and Indian yellow.  Color is strongest when it comes closest in the scene, cooler and softer in the distance.

3.  Painted background and water.

4.  Painted clothing and a few shadows on flesh.

5.   Finished flesh areas in faces, expressions, and gestures... the most difficult but important part.

 Catch Anything? 6x6" oil, ©Diane Mannion

This painting is #11 of Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  Last I heard, there are over a thousand artists painting along!  

Contact VAC Punta Gorda and Ringling Englewood for my teaching schedule.