Step 1 - Underpainting & Sketch
Jesse the Bloodhound is my latest commission...I thought I'd share with you my portrait process for this 14x18" acrylic on wraparound canvas.
Step 1 - I give the canvas a warm red underpainting with Matisse's China Red Background paint which has a built-in sealer that acts like a pigmented gesso.
I had a photo session with Jesse, taking @80 photos and giving the client a choice of 5. They choose this one (which was also my favorite) and decided on the portrait size. I then printed the photo and enlarged it to the finished size to work with as a reference. Following this, I sketched his contour and main features for placement on the canvas with a pastel pencil.
Step 2 - Starting the Eyes
Since the eyes are always the focal point and so important, I decided to start with them...putting in shapes, values and temperature. I will fine-tune them later, but it always helps me to have him watching me during the process :)
Close-up of Eyes so far
That's all for today....tomorrow I continue....stay-tuned!
Hi Kim, I am so glad you are showing this process-I can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteI am also glad to hear about the Matisse China red. I have a difficult time painting on the panels, even though they are gessobord, because the paint seems to sink in as it drys.