Journal of My Oil Painting Techniques

Today I worked on this figure painting from life.  I first made a very accurate small drawing then transferred it onto the canvas. I used to start drawing directly on the canvas but I recently found it easier and less time consuming if you prepare a preliminary small drawing beforehand. Also I find it easier to get the accuracies when working small.

After the outlines were traced onto the canvas, I began dabbing on the colors from there. Even though I had the accurate outlines down, I tried not to rely on it or fill it in, but used thick paints and sculpted and modelled the forms as I went. I also tried not to be afraid to alter things if I felt that changes were necessary.

I mostly used the large brushes for this figure painting. I tried to keep the brushes  as large possible, using the points and edges of them to do the details. I find that this technique produces better sculptural results then using the small brushes for small details.

I focused on keeping the paint fairly thick to overcome the ripple-like texture of the canvas and create my own texture with the paint, whether it may be smooth or rough. I try to keep the thickness of the paints equal all over the canvas rather than painting thin on one area and thick on others. Even in the shadowy transparent area I prefer to use thick paint as I have on the light side areas, and try to create the transparent illusion by the use of colors or saturation istead of actually applying the thin layer of paint.

Unfortunately for me, the session ended before I could even cover up the whole surface of the canvas. I will resume with the figure painting when she returns.

Below is my model Brittney checking herself out at the end of the session