There are several methods for transferring your drawing onto the canvas.
Graphite transfer - rub the back of your outline printout with pencil into all the lines are covered. Place image side up on the canvas and then trace firmly over the outlines. The pressure will transfer the pencil on to the canvas
Carbon paper - place a piece of carbon paper under the outline print out and position both on the canvas. Using a canvas or stylus trace firmly over the outlines to transfer the drawing.
Buy the ready prepared canvas! Skip this step and have it delivered to your door ready to go.
We are going to mix the colours for each object in the still life separately and block them in before we refine our painting.
In this section we will mix the range of colours and values needed to paint the lemons. We are starting with neutral shadow colours, moving onto the vibrant yellows of the lemons in the light.
Mixing colours: Please take your time mixing the colours, and do not be afraid to scrape back the palette and start again. It's better to have a few false starts initially than to waste hours correcting colors on the canvas later. Keep referring to your values and to the colour chart I have provided.
Mix enough paint: It is often the beginners error to be conservative with the amount of paint on the palette, but it is a false economy to scrimp on paint, having extra paint available is far more convenient than trying to match colors midway through your painting
Clean your brush regularly: I cannot emphasise how important this is, and generally I wipe my brush every couple of strokes, so as not to muddy one colour with another.
Keep in mind that our objective is to create a compelling artwork, not simply replicate the reference photo. Only you will have access to the reference photo, so focus on creating a successful painting that is true to your artistic vision.
The leaves are a very dark green and really act as a foil to set off the lemons and bowl. Keep them simple, and soften their edges.
Keep things simple: We are mixing a few values for the warm lights and cooler shadows, but remember because the bowl is white they all need to be close in value, there isn’t a huge contrast between light and shadow.
Organise your palette: The better organised and laid out your colours, the easier it will be to choose them when painting. If space constraints are an issue, consider using paper plates as a practical solution. Allocate a separate plate for each set of values, ensuring a clear and accessible setup for your painting sessions. This method not only optimizes your workspace but also enhances your ability to work with precision and focus.
Keep cleaning: Make sure your palette remains clean, and your brushes!
Don’t worry too much about edges, we can tidy them up when we apply the background.
Mix enough paint :The most common error is to run out of paint halfway through.
Large brush: Use a large brush to achieve expressive strokes and prevent your background from being flat. You can swap to a finer brush for the fiddly details within the negative space amongst the objects.
Don’t overthink the shadows: Simplify the shadows by keeping them as basic shapes, allowing the focus to remain on the subject without distraction, remember hard lines draw focus so soften the shadow edges.
The background is our opportunity to manipulate the light and values behind the subject to enhance it in the best way possible.
Do you please share any finished works with me, either by emailing them to me or by tagging me on social media with @Inglebyart.