PREPARATION AND TOOLS OF THE TRADE

As im currently working on a commission, i decided to show how i prepare for a painting. From The Tools i use to the the actual start of the piece...


STEP 1:
I gather all the materials that i need to begin, from pens, markers and pencils. I mainly use Sharpie pens and papermate pens. Pencils that are used are HB and Mechanical pencils. I always have a Sharpener and a Rubber for mistakes.

STEP 2:
I always have a sketch book for plotting out the piece.

STEP 3:
This is where the main preparation starts. I have everything i need but no ideas, so i use references. They Range from using the internet or art books or even DVD and VHS cover art.

STEP 4:
Once i have decided on what i am going to do, i start random sketches. Here is an example of a page in my sketch book that was used for a piece of aborted..

STEP 5:
Once i have finished the sketches, i plot out the picture, this is version that will be transferred to canvas.
The following picture is of the painting that i am currently working on...

I start by doing a pencil outline and then tracing that with a fine black pen.

STEP 7:
Once the line art is complete, i start to add the colour codes to each part of the picture. Every section will have a 1 letter or 2 letter code so i know what colour goes where...

When that is done, it starts to look like a painting by numbers...

STEP 8:
Now that all the prep work is done, i can transfer the outline onto canvas. For this painting i am using a 41cm X 31cm canvas. The Transferring is the same as the the sketch book, pencil then ink but more care is taken. It should look like this....

STEP 9:
Now that the outline is finsihed, it's time for me to add the base colours. I use Acrylic paints as they blend and dry better than oils...

STEP 10:
Now the painting begins. Like i said i start with block colours as when they dry it's easier to add darker shades to give depth and shadow...

So there we go, that's how i work and i will post the finished piece as soon as it is done...