The Critical Process Principle: A painting sould b developed as a Whole. This is in contrast to, for example, painting
the background, then the middle ground and finishing with the foreground. Painting all portions of the work together helps ensure
a pleasing composition and balance, and continuity throughout the work.
The Painting Process. I use a two-step or three-step
process, depending upon the amount of detail in the paintingand the finishing techniques that I expect to use. In most cases,
only two steps are required. In any case, I complete each step for the whole picture before I proceed to the next step.
The
First Step: Roughing in. Roughing-in the picture involves laying in each section of the work in order to get the general
value and hue for each element. In cases where I have a dominant feature, such as a middle or foreground tree(s) or building(s), I
actually rough-in these first so that I can be sure that I am pleased with them before I take the time and effort to work on the rest
of the picture. As an example, note "Winter Woods" Step 1a, where I started by roughing-in the trees, since they are a critical
element. If they do not look good, the picture cannot look good.
In "Winter Woods" Step 1b, I continue the roughing-in process
by adding the sky. The First Step is completed in "Winter Woods" 1c.
The Second Step: Primary Finishing In "Winter
Woods" I used only two primary steps in the process, the second of which is illustrated by Step 2a, and 2b - the finished work.
In 2a, I deepened the sky, developed the trees and branches, including adding some limbs coming in from the sides, and further
developed the snow.
The finished painting, includes some final details on the branches, adding the ice to the creek, some final
highlights on the snow, and the addition of the birds.
The Third Step: Final Details Certain works may call for some
final details that are easiest when done on dry or tacky paint. These may include as glazing or adding very bright highlights..
