My Painting Process 🎨

When I started this underwater oil painting project, I knew I wanted to break it down into manageable steps. For me, a "three-stage painting process" is usually the most effective way to tackle a complex piece, especially with oil paints where drying times can be a factor. It helps keep the vision clear and prevents getting overwhelmed! Stage 1: Concept, Reference, and Initial Sketch This is where the magic begins – planning! Before even touching the canvas with paint, I spent time gathering my digital reference image for inspiration. For this particular underwater scene with a person on a couch watching a TV, a dolphin, and starfish, I had a clear idea of the composition. Once I felt good about the concept, I transferred initial sketches of the figures onto the canvas. This first stage is all about getting the foundation right. It’s like building the skeleton of your artwork. You don't want to rush this part; a solid sketch makes the rest of the process so much smoother. I often use a light pencil or thinned-down paint to lay out the main shapes and proportions. Stage 2: Blocking In the Colors and Establishing Values With the sketch in place, it was time to dive into color! This stage, often called blocking in, involves laying down the blue background and other foundational colors. I started with broad areas, like the deep blues of the water, and then moved to blocked-out brown color for the TV stand and other large elements. The goal here isn't perfection, but rather to establish the overall color palette and value relationships (light and darks). I often work with thinned-down paint at this point, creating an underpainting that will peek through or influence the layers to come. It’s about creating a solid base that I can build upon. I remember how exciting it was to see the canvas transform from a blank slate to something resembling the underwater scene I envisioned. Stage 3: Detailing, Refining, and Bringing it to Life This is arguably the most satisfying stage! With the core colors and values established, I could focus on details added to the water, dolphin, and TV screen. This stage is all about layering and refining. I spent a lot of time on refined shading and details on the person's hair, shirt, and the couch. You start to see the textures emerge and the light play across the surfaces. Working on the dolphin and starfish meant building up their forms with subtle color shifts. And of course, making sure the person's pants colored red plaid had that distinct pattern! This is where you add the highlights, deepen the shadows, and bring out the personality of your subjects. It’s a delicate balance of adding just enough without overworking it. Finally, stepping back to look at the completed oil painting after all that work is truly rewarding. It took me about 9-10 hours spread over a week, but seeing the final result makes every minute worth it.