Creative Artist - AU (2020-02)

Step One
Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular expressions
of nature, but they can disappear so quickly. So,
to capture them in all their glory I wait and watch
with my trusty DSLR Nikons on hand to capture
the changing spectacle, whether frosty morning or
smoky, heat hazed evening.
Taking care not to aim straight into a bright
sun, I use both the telephoto and the wide angle
to capture particular images to choose from. The
telephoto allows me to get up closer to cloud
structures, particular places in the landscape etc. It
also changes the finished photo as more light is let
in, so the cooler tones disappear and what is left is
brilliant orange and gold.
With the image I’m using for this demonstration
I’ve tried to recreate the beauty and interesting
features of the particular sunrise.
A simple trip to town to print the selected images
and I’m away with brush and oil paints on the
canvas! In this case the painting is on canvas, but I

also produce works on varying grades of paper or

card and Masonite board.

Step Two

Propped on a small desk easel, the primed canvas

is divided into horizon line and major features as

recognisable in the photograph. The photograph,

postcard size, is kept close to the canvas to refer

to constantly for colour and some detail reference.

I also printed out a larger A4 size black and white

copy of the image to use as reference for enlarging

on the canvas.

Step Three

Mixing a selection of oil paints with thinning

mediums, I use a thin long hair brush to wash in

horizon line and mountain lines. Then I select a

large flat brush and, with thinned mixed paint for

sky colours, I brush that on to cover the canvas.

I then often use a soft, lint-free cloth to swirl and

blend the paint to a softer finish. >> Kathleen Davies

MATERIALS

• Clean lint-free cloth


• Primed stretched
  canvas


• Paints
  
  
  • Prussian Blue
  
  
  • Carmine
  
  
  • Titanium White
  
  
  • Cadmium Yellow
    Light Hue
  
  
  • Vermillion
  
  
  • Lemon Yellow
  
  
  • Black
  
  
  • Cadmium Orange
  
  
  
  


• Brushes
  
  
  • 000
  
  
  • No 4
  
  
  • No 10
  
  
  
  

artist 13

Steps 2 and 3

Step 1 – Reference photo