Harbour Life: a step-by-step guide
Draw the scene with oil paints, then use a palette knife to create depth and energy.
I apply the lightest areas of the composition first
with a mix of white alkyd with a little blue added
to it. Many of the marks made at this stage are
lines working off, and leading to, a point of
perspective in the distance to the top right
of the boat on the horizon.The tones of the picture are divided up into three
parts of light, mid and dark. This picture shows
the mid tone (a mixture of blue, red and yellow)
has been applied and can be seen as the shadow
beneath the boat and I have started to apply the
darker third tone with more blue.Each stage of the picture allows for re-evaluation
of the forms within the composition. Here you can
see the shape of the boat re-defined as the grey
of the hull is added.At this stage of under-painting, in general the
upper section will be lighter and cooler therefore
to the eye it will be receding into the distance.
The foreground will be darker and warmer at the
bottom and, as such, comes forward.Step 1. Perspective
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Lighter, cooler colours
recede, while darker,
warmer colours come
forward to help
create dimension.