Stage 2 - Finishing the Block In - Real Time

Lesson by

Stephen Bauman

inClassical Portraiture Techniques and Concepts

Assignments 2

Stage 2 - Finishing the Block In - Real Time

Lesson by

Stephen Bauman

in Classical Portraiture Techniques and Concepts

Assignments 2

Assignment

Stage 2: In this moment of the project our objectives are really clear:

Finish the blocking by filling up the entire canvas.
Keep control over the edges in between value shapes- we want to cultivate a sense of overall softness in the painting. It’s very easy to make a sharp value edge in oil painting, in this part we will practice the techniques necessary to make them only when they are useful.
Make sure that the entire painting progresses together. All sections of the picture should have the same level of consideration. This doesn’t mean that everything on the canvas has to have the same level of focus or refinement- but that they should all be considered in terms of how they play a role in the composition of the painting.
When blocking in the background, rather than referring only to the value you see in the photograph, compare the contrast between the model and the background where they are in contact with each other.

Jo Sheridan

•

4yr

@Stephen Bauman Apologies if I end up posting this twice, but I think my first attempt got lost in the ether... My stage two painting attached. I think I am starting to see how the additional layers change the way the paint looks on the canvas, so am starting to get "the point" of coming back to things in this way. I do find it hard not to mess up my shapes when concentrating so hard on value, but I like the fact that you can sort this out next time round. I tried hard to get a sense of space behind the head with the background - I am quite pleased with how this came out. What should I concentrate on for Stage 3?