Oil Painting Progression

Here is a step-by-step oil painting progression. 
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1) After pencil sketching on a 9x12 canvas panel, I start with the focal point. For this painting the focus is the head and shoulders.

2) I paint the shapes of dark and light. Looking only at shapes right now and not at all interested in detail.

It's all about choices!  Decisions have to be made constantly throughout a painting.

3) At this point I have put in a dark background to show the highlights. I chose to go dark with the background, but I could have gone light.

4) Within the tulle of her skirt, dark shapes have to go first to add the structure or foundation. Then mid tone shapes are added followed by light highlights and detail. The final focal is the emphasis of light shining on her legs and tulle skirt. So those shapes are strengthened.

​I hope you enjoyed this progression.

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