I have just finished a rather large painting and thought painters might be interested in some of my thoughts and steps as I worked through it.
I found a photo from Salthaven Wildlife Rescue, asked for their permission to use the photo and made a donation to their cause.
The photo was perfect except the background of course. It is a rescue operation and so the background was not a “natural’ setting. I searched photo sites as well as my own photos looking for a great out of focus background that could complement the fox in colour as well as setting.
I basecoated the background and drew in the two main elements of the design. I find it easier to place my “blotches” when I know where the main elements are.
Blotchy out of focus backgrounds are so much fun! I always start by just looking at the colours in the photo and choosing colours which look good to me. Then I start. Because the base colour is Black I started with the next dark colour I wanted. I like to use a glazing medium to give transparency. That way I can do a lot of layers and let previous colours glow through.
Little Foxy is in nature so a green is a natural choice. There are a lot of greens out there. I chose a few yellow greens to start with. Adding a yellow is nice to warm things up and reflect a bit of “Fox Colour”. And then a brighter colour to add some punch. I just go through my original choices of colours adding them here and there, looking at them, making my choices. I soon disregard the photo and make the background what I want and what I decide is best for my subject. I think of value as I place my blotches. Where do I want the darks and lights?
Stay tuned for steps and thoughts on fur and eyes.