Streamlining the Painting Process

by Shawn Dell Joyce

1.    Start with a thumbnail value sketch to show composition (15 mins)  Many bad paintings can be fixed at this stage by checking composition. I use the Rule of Thirds to make sure the focal point isn’t dead center, and the focal edge doesn’t lead you right off the picture plane.  I also look for my pattern of darks (and lights) especially the darkest darks as they are the focal edge, and at least 5 values from dark to light. 

This is also when I make the decision to work from dark to light or back to front. Dark to light is the default. Back to front works when you don’t want to have to blend around tiny details-if I painted the birds first (dark to light) then I’d have to put a multi-colored background in around them. The best choice in this example is back to front.

1.    Make a color study (15 mins) The whole purpose of a color study is to help layout the palette. This means I choose all my colors ahead of time according to values and have them set aside. Then I can work methodically from dark to light through the values. This saves a great deal of time “hunting and pecking” for the right color.

Color study gives you an opportunity to test a few techniques out as well, how to get the background? do I use alcohol or not? Are those flowers really white or warmer/cooler? etc. I try to make my

Mistakes on a small scale rather than on my expensive Pastelbords.

3. Keep the pastels you are using separate (based on the color sketch) This is VIP seating,

only these very important pastels are going to be used for the painting. I’m not wasting time

looking for the perfect color, I already made the decision. Now I can work methodically

without distraction and lessen my “fumbling” time so the painting process is smoother.

4. Presketch your surface- 10 mins. I use the Rule of Thirds on my reference photo(s) and on my painting surface to scale up the image onto my surface. If I’m going to use an underpainting, as is the case in this example, I do it first.

Here’s another opportunity to check the composition and perspective. I use the Rule of Thirds lines and intersections to help me sketch the subject, then use them to double check perspective and proportion. Many problems later on can be caught and dealt with now. It’s worth the extra minute or two to check proportions. Looking at the painting as a photo on

Your cell phone, or in a small mirror may help you see distorted areas. You can also turn your reference photo and sketch upside down and look at it.

5. Paint Methodically from Dark to Light-Once the background is in place, it’s time to

 work methodically through the painting process. I start with the 5’s and work backwards to the 1’s. Making sure to keep a strong pattern of darks in place along the way.

6. It’s DONE at ONE! When I work from dark to light, I stop after the ones. It isn’t important to finish the painting in one sitting. It’s far more important to be sharp and clear while painting. I stop instead of overworking or perfecting-these are both quagmires! I have tea with the painting later when I have fresh eyes. You can’t solve a problem with the same

brain that created it! It’s easy to ruin fresh marks by going over them, or muddy up clean

color by overworking. Leave it alone and come back later!

Hope this was helpful and see you online~!