D E M O S

Photo of setup:  EasyL paintbox on desktop, Ott Lite shining on still life.  Background is foam core stuck together with tape.  I wear a blue nitrile disposable glove on my left hand only.  I hold my paint rag or paper towel in this hand and pull the paint off to clean brush.  No mineral spirits or turpentine were used throughout.
My mom asked for this demo.  Thanks, Mom!
30 minutes:  Underpainting (it's always an underpainting until I decide it's finished!).  Used linseed oil and paint- NO mineral spirits or turpentine.  I only use mineral spirits at the end of the day before I clean my brushes with Master's Brush cleaner. 
This stage of the painting is only a roadmap for composition.  Used ultramarine blue for drawing with a #2 Trekell round bristle brush.  (In fact, it's the only brush I used throughout.)  Mixed background with cadmium yellow pale, white, napthol red, and ultramarine.  Permanent Rose (one of my favorite colors) for flower.  A little sap green for stems.
Next 30 minutes: Filled in areas in bottle.  Most artists working in oils paint from dark to light.  John Singer Sargent worked from middle values.  I like to get the painting covered with general, local colors (color things are) in a middle value.  Just indicating where darks will be.  Then as I refine and finish, move to the darkest darks and lightest lights, saving the highlights (icing on the cake) for last.  
While I'm painting, my mantra is: "Darker, lighter?  Warmer, cooler color?"  And "Harder, softer edges?"
Oh, and don't forget to exagerate for dramatic effect.  IT'S A PAINTING... NOT A PHOTOGRAPH!"
And after one more hour of tinkering... the finished painting! 
Total: 2 hours.  Click on image for larger view.  I hope this was helpful.
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Bougainvillaea
8x6"