I put Painting Steps in the title because I thought I’d have a better chance of getting you to click. Don’t worry, I’m going to follow through with this caveat: copying yet another artist’s technique is not the sole key to tapping into your own unique visual voice. Yes, you have one. But let’s get on with the painting steps.

Living into the essence of Little Prudence, I used the grid method. Next, I placed darks and defining shapes.

I placed mid values, taking into consideration shapes and direction.

I added a few mid-light values.

I introduced lighter values.

Here’s the finished painting with the background and a few more additive and subtractive touches.

I place a lot of thought into naming my paintings. I use naming rather than titling because I feel that connected to my art. Prudence: Latin origin, means caution or discretion.

Using the grid method and working dark to light in oils is common practice. No secret magic bullet there. But tapping into your own unique visual voice, how do you do that?

I can only offer what I believe is working for me in fits and starts and ebbs and flows. Put in the hours. Hours in solitude of dogged determination combined with lighthearted experimentation and play. How do I gauge if I’m on track? The paintings emerge almost effortlessly and I love them.

Now, sometimes I’m the only one who loves a particular painting, which amuses me. I guess the true litmus test is a viewer’s positive spontaneous reaction of taking one of my babies home which makes me feel complete.

From the Art,

June

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