"Guiding Light"
"Guiding Light " is my latest painting which is an oil painting on canvas.
It is January and outside my studio (spare bedroom) the sky is is pinkish grey creating a warm light over the hills. At this time of year I find it difficult to get out and about painting as the days are short and the weather is unkind. So this painting is one that I have started using reference material, previous sketches and paintings and it depicts the hedgerows of West Cornwall in April and May.
This painting will have the stunning Godrevy Lighthouse in it with one or two sailing yachts passing by, using the lighthouse to assist with their navigation. As a sailboat owner myself, I am fully aware of how comforting it can be when I first spot a headland or a mark (such as a lighthouse to reassure me that I am literally on the right track.)
It is January and outside my studio (spare bedroom) the sky is is pinkish grey creating a warm light over the hills. At this time of year I find it difficult to get out and about painting as the days are short and the weather is unkind. So this painting is one that I have started using reference material, previous sketches and paintings and it depicts the hedgerows of West Cornwall in April and May.
This painting will have the stunning Godrevy Lighthouse in it with one or two sailing yachts passing by, using the lighthouse to assist with their navigation. As a sailboat owner myself, I am fully aware of how comforting it can be when I first spot a headland or a mark (such as a lighthouse to reassure me that I am literally on the right track.)
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As an artist, I gain experience from each painting that I complete. I have learned that some materials are better than others, and some help me produce better results. For this painting I have chosen a 36 x 24 inch 11.04 oz exhibition grade canvas from Cass Art. I tend to use a lot of paint as I like to add texture. For paint, I use Griffin Alkyd Oil Paint because it dries quicker than some other oil paints. I have started this painting by adding in a base layer of oil paint. The colours I have used for this are Flesh tint, Davy's grey and Titanium white. Oil painting is very satisfying as the colours blend together like butter and cream.
I then need to let this dry completely in order to avoid stretching the paint too far. I have decided to put in a pink horizon in this painting to give it depth but I will add that later.
I then need to let this dry completely in order to avoid stretching the paint too far. I have decided to put in a pink horizon in this painting to give it depth but I will add that later.
The next stage is to add a deeper layer of colour over the top. As you can see I have added cloud shapes and a much deeper, darker foreground.
To do this, I have again added the clouds by using a rag to ensure that the clouds have both hard and soft edges. Cloud study is like wave study, it is hard to monitor as the shape continually changes as you look at it but, most clouds have soft and sharp edges.
I have now added the horizon line using a mix of magenta and flesh tint avoiding putting this exactly half way up the canvas. I have then placed some basic composition by adding in the lay of the land and how this will form my composition. The green is an olive green with Davy's Grey and Titanium White.
Once again, I now have to let this dry thoroughly before I continue.
Click on the image to go to the next page..
To do this, I have again added the clouds by using a rag to ensure that the clouds have both hard and soft edges. Cloud study is like wave study, it is hard to monitor as the shape continually changes as you look at it but, most clouds have soft and sharp edges.
I have now added the horizon line using a mix of magenta and flesh tint avoiding putting this exactly half way up the canvas. I have then placed some basic composition by adding in the lay of the land and how this will form my composition. The green is an olive green with Davy's Grey and Titanium White.
Once again, I now have to let this dry thoroughly before I continue.
Click on the image to go to the next page..