Ma and Pa painting

I thought I would show you the progression of a recent painting.  I've seen other artists videotape themselves while creating a painting so I thought I'd try it, using still photos since I don't have a camcorder.  The following painting is 24" tall by 18" wide, done in oil on canvas.

Here is the very loose indication of the figures' general size and pose.  From here I will continue to redraw and refine the shapes to make them more specific and careful.

The way I like to paint I tone (spread a thin layer of paint) the whole canvas and then use a rag to lift out the light shapes.  This method requires working fast and completing the lightest areas in one sitting.

Here I add shapes and values in the background.  For some reason my students usually like to put this part off until the last minute.  So, practicing what I preach, I try to get to the handcart and distant trees fairly early in the process.

Having never stopped to periodically take photos of a painting while I work, I later realized that the progression is a bit uneven between photos.  Especially in the beginning I find that I'm too busy concentrating to stop.  The most detrimental mistakes are made in the beginning so I try to work carefully and continuously.

Here I begin to put more detail in the cowboy's pants and rope as well as the cast shadows in the grass.

At this point I am adding definition to the woman's clothing and hair.  You may or may not have noticed the overall color shift - I did.  This is because I was losing natural daylight and relying more on my studio light. This painting was done in under two hours, and it's amazing how much the light changes in a short time.

This is the painting as it sits in my studio today.  I haven't decided whether I want to paint over it in full color or keep it this sepia look.  There are several areas that still need attention, but it's a start.