My goal today is to cover all of the underpainting with my first layer of paint. I’m not going for a finished look now. Since I judge values and colors by comparing with adjacent areas, I won’t be able to judge correctly until more paint is down. All of the shapes aren’t quite right yet, either. As I build up the paint gradually, I keep correcting.
I knew as I was painting the driftwood, that the colors weren’t right. I tried not to let that bother me. I consider this my getting-to-know-you phase of the painting, where I’m learning about all of the complex shapes and colors. I tend to over-state them now, but that’s part of the process of seeing and learning. I can tone these areas down later.
The colors on the bowl and geode were particularly subtle and obscure. I know that I didn’t get it right, but I’m confident that when I look at them in a few days, the difference between reality and my canvas will be glaringly obvious, and corrections won’t be too hard.
I glazed in the first layer of the cast shadows. I like to do this as soon as the under-layer is dry enough because it’s much easier to judge the values of the surrounding areas. It’s also very satisfying!
I’ll let this dry for a few days, then I’ll add the glazed shadow cast by the wall on the right over the sandstone. After that, the painting will look more like it’s supposed to.
Linda Mann Artist 