Artist in Residence-Painting The Gratitude Girl-Step-by-Step
April 28th, 2008 - 04:45 PM
Artist in Residence-Painting The Gratitude Girl
I had a request from another artist on FAA to show my “process” for completing a painting. I hasten to say this is how I do it and in no way do I suggest it is any better or worse than how any other artist may do their work. I am happy for any feedback or to try and answer questions.
Through a fortunate series of events last fall I was introduced to Joe Lanni. Joe is the art teacher at the Columbia Middle School in Berkeley Heights, NJ. I was invited to speak to his classes then invited back as an artist in residence. The goal was to do a painting on site and wherever possible involve the students in two of his 8th grade classes. The following blogs will demonstrate my process though words and photographs. Note: Because of problems exposing the images of the students on the Web I am not able to show you full on shots of my young painters. I wish I could as they are an enthusiastic and attractive group. Regardless, I hope you enjoy.
Step one (for me) was to choose a subject and a size for the painting. I have had this girl on my radar for a couple of years and I wanted to make a statement with the size of the work. Also I wanted to challenge myself, so off I went to the school with paints and a very large stretcher in hand.
Steps 1 – 4
1. Stretching the canvas
2. Background color… after the canvas is stretched we splash some gesso in what will be the background. After the gesso has dried the canvas is covered with the background color with some contrasting yellows added for emphasis.
3. In preparation for doing the painting I have already cropped and framed the photo (I took) and printed it full-size, taping the sections into one large piece. The back of the laser paper is covered in soft charcoal.
4. We flip the copy and the students trace the dominant lines with #2 pencils.
5. Time to paint.
