I was happy to begin to put some color down after my underpainting dried. I was reminded, though, of how unsatisfactory this first layer of color can be. I tend to paint thinly at this point, so the paint film can look insubstantial and streaky. Subsequent layers of paint will go on more solidly and will add nuance. Also, I’m still figuring out which colors and values are correct. Since you have to compare adjoining areas to get this right, it follows that until you get some paint down, you can’t really tell if you’ve got things right. These colors are very much a first guess. For this reason, I don’t try for subtlety or detail at this point. I also don’t bother with edge quality yet. There’s no point in spending effort on effects that will be painted over! Below, you can see this first layer and how sketchy it is.
Below, I’ve worked on the scarf a second time. I adjusted the colors, painted the front edge, and added a shadow on the left side. The paint layer is more substantial now.
Below is the vase after the first layer of color. As with the scarf, the paint layer is thin and streaky, and the values and hues are approximate. The yellow fluorite crystal has only its yellow glaze.
Below, I have completed the second layer of color. I have corrected values and hues, applying the paint more generously. I’ve paid more attention to details and have ‘re-drawn’ some areas around the rim and base. I glazed the left side darker and painted the reflection of the wire table into the wet glaze. I painted some more detail on the crystal. I take every session of painting as an opportunity to see things afresh and correct where needed. The process seems to be never-ending!
I’ll continue this process over the whole painting. As I proceed, I can compare areas to better judge value and color. For instance, once the blue shadow on the right side of the vase is closer to the correct value, I can then get the right side of the vase correct. Painting is a long process of building and correcting.
Linda Mann Artist 