| Beginning with a pencil line drawing, usually done from a photo I have taken, I start by working on sections of the composition, moving from top to bottom, establishing a base color, either dark red or dark blue. I work from top to bottom because the paper is pinned vertically on the wall and the dust will fall, and I don't want it to go on anything I have already worked on. |
The base color serves as an underpainting, establishing the "warmth" or "coldness." Then, I layer on top of the base color with transparent overlays until I get the exact color and brightness of the finished hue. I carefully study each section of the painting, making sure it all works together. I do a lot of staring, in silence. It's great. |
