Artist’s Back to Basic – July 2019

STEP ONE
With acrylics, I undercoat the
canvas roughly with a light blue
mixture of White, Cobalt Blue
and a touch of Yellow Ochre. I
sketch my subject with pencil on
tracing paper and transfer the
drawing onto the dried canvas
before outlining with Burnt Sienna.

STEP TWO
I begin painting the background
using a mixture of White,
Yellow Ochre, a touch of Burnt
Sienna and a little Cobalt Blue
(all acrylics). I also paint the shoes
with Burnt Sienna; and dilute
Raw Umber with water for the hair.
STEP THREE
Still using acrylics, I start to paint
the singlet top with Cobalt
Blue, Light Blue and White; then the
skirt with Cobalt Blue and Light Blue.

STEP FOUR
I use acrylics in Yellow Ochre,
White and a touch of Cadmium
Red for the skin tones. I paint the
face, neck, arms and legs. Then
I add a touch of Viridian and Burnt

Sienna for the light shadows.

I paint the shoes with Burnt

Sienna for the second coat and

Yellow Ochre for the design; and

I add Raw Umber to the hair. I

also start to paint the low stone fence

using Burnt Sienna, Cobalt Blue and

White. I then allow the work to dry.

STEP FIVE

Moving now to oil paints, I mix

White, Yellow Ochre and a touch

of Cadmium Red for the skin tones.

I add a touch of Viridian and Burnt

Sienna for the light shadows and start

blending shadows with a

clean brush. I add more

White to the skin tones mixture

for highlights, and blend in ...

before starting to apply details to

the face, eyes, nose and lips.

STEP SIX

With a mixture of Burnt Sienna,

Cadmium Red, a touch of Viridian,

and White, I paint the shadows of the

face, nose, and neck; and blend in. I

use the same technique for the arms

and legs. For the lips, I use Cadmium

Red and Yellow Ochre (with White

Step 1 Step 2

HINTS AND TIPSHINTS AND TIPS

• Concentration is paramount, so
  avoid interruptions if possible.


• Apply each colour only when the
  previous coat is sufficiently dry.


• Cover your painting for a few
  days before the final touch-
  up ... this will help you to
  determine if any alterations
  are needed on your work.

Step 3