http://www.painters-online.co.uk artistMarch 2021 59
PRACTICAL
u FINISHED PAINTING
Roe Deer Skull, acrylic on canvas, 20 3 16in
(51 3 40.5cm).
For the final highlights I used a mix of
cadmium lemon yellow and white to create
the impact around the skull shape. The
same colour was also used within the skull
in smaller strokes with a smaller brush
(Gerstaecker No. 20 ) to suggest flecks of
strong light. I was very conscious at every
stage of being direct with applications and
mindful of not over stretching the paint; the
focus was on keeping the colours strong and
vibrant
p STAGE FOUR
Using a pure mix of cerulean blue and deep
violet on the same brush, I added a strong
shadow beneath the skull, which helped
to create the form. A little white was then
added to create a soft tint on the edges of the
shadow
ABOVE RIGHT
STAGE FIVE
Working on the skull I blocked in lighter
tints using a combination of yellow ochre,
cadmium yellow medium and white. Softer
tints could be applied using either of the
colours used in previous steps. Within the
background I introduced cadmium lemon
yellow and white to indicate strong sunlight