How I Painted Elora and White Roses

(My “On the Easel” posts provide you with a behind-the-scenes have a look at what I’m engaged on, what went nicely, what went fallacious, and classes discovered.)

Let’s check out how I painted Elora and White Roses. That is certainly one of my favourite current work, partly as a result of it depicts my stunning daughter Elora in a devoted mild and partly as a result of it was a difficult topic that turned out nicely.

(You may obtain a higher-resolution photograph of the portray right here.)

Table of Contents

Reference Picture

Under is the reference photograph I painted from. Be happy to color it for your self. Here’s a hyperlink to the full-size picture in case you need to paint it your self.

You may get entry to my whole reference photograph library right here.

Particulars

Oil on Ampersand gessoboard, 18 by 24 inches.
Most important colours: Ultramarine blue, cobalt blue, cadmium purple, magenta, cadmium yellow, cadmium yellow mild, cadmium orange, viridian inexperienced, and titanium white.

Check with my provides record for extra particulars on what I take advantage of.

Notes and Classes Discovered

I had a failed try at this portray. I made her too small in relation to the environment. Errors like this are nearly unimaginable to get better from. I used to be cautious to not make the identical mistake on this second try.
I spent appreciable time and a spotlight on the preliminary drawing, ensuring to get Elora proper earlier than I began portray. As I achieve extra expertise with portrait portray, I’ll be capable of spend much less time on the preliminary drawing.
I used delicate colour variance within the sky. This provides a way of life and motion with out drawing an excessive amount of consideration to this space.
I began quick, then spent the remainder of the portray refining Elora and increase texture within the foreground.
I painted the grass by increase layers of scumbled colour. This mimics all of the flickering highlights, darkish accents, twigs, flowers, bugs, rocks, and so forth.
I took a distinct method for Elora, choosing extra cautious brushwork and rendering. I additionally used lighter colours and softer distinction. This performs into her delicate and female nature.
A key problem was portray Elora in a approach that she appears life like while ensuring she matches in with the remainder of the portray and the general impressionist model. If I did an excessive amount of, she appeared misplaced and overworked.
Dan Schultz mentioned in our current interview that his favourite work are people who depict his spouse and youngsters. I’ve comparable ideas. It appears work of relations are notably particular, although it’s exhausting to convey them in a devoted mild.

Progress Photographs

Step 1: Apply a three-by-three grid to the reference photograph and gessoboard. This helps me with the accuracy of my drawing. I then do an preliminary drawing, spending most of my consideration on Elora. It’s important that I get her scale and proportions proper at this early stage within the portray.

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (2)

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (1)

Step 2: Rapidly map out the panorama. I’m extra snug portray the panorama, so I get that out of the way in which first. I paint quick and with intuition relatively than calculated thought. I’ll refine the panorama later as wanted.

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (3)

Step 3: Fastidiously block within the main shapes and colours of Elora.

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (4)

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (5)

Step 4: Add element to Elora, construct up texture within the foreground, and ensure all of the elements work collectively as a complete.

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (12)

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (13)

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (17)

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (25)

Dan Scott, Elora and White Roses, Progress (26)

Step 5: Make ending touches, signal, and {photograph}.

Wish to Be taught Extra?

You may be taken with my Portray Academy course. I’ll stroll you thru the time-tested fundamentals of portray. It’s good for absolute newbie to intermediate painters.