End of Day Treasures

By Ellene Breedlove Davis

Mapping your painting is a habit that reinforces information you already know!

As an artist, you already know that most objects can be reduced broadly into three tone masses, the light (including the high light,) the half tones and shadows. The habit of reducing objects into a simple equation of three tones, as a foundation on which to build a complex painting, should be sought out early.

Try this simple exercise…(you can do this mass drawing with the brush)

1) Select a simple object

2) Place it in a strong light and shade

3) Use artificial light

4) Have the light coming from either the right or left hand, but not from in front

5) Set the light so that the tone of the cast shadow comes about equal to the half tones.

Using charcoal, outline the light and dark masses. Note the shapes of shadows very carefully, taking great care that the shapes are blocked in proportionate to each other. The drawing will be done with a brush full of paint.

Fix the charcoal well by spraying with a spray diffuser.

Using raw umber and white (oil paint), mix up a tone that you think is equal to the half tones of the cast shadow before you.

Extreme care should be taken in matching this tone.

Now scumble this with a big brush, equally over the entire canvas (or whatever you are making your study on.)

If the paint is too stiff to go on thinly, mix it with just a tiny bit of oil. Do not use turpentine.

The technique to scumble is to rub the color into the canvas, working the brush from side to side rapidly, and laying in just the tiniest solid tone that will cover the surface. If this is done properly, and your drawing is well fixed, you will be able to see through the paint.

Practice this technique to help take your paintings to the next level

Ellene Breedlove Davis is an artist of 30+ years, an oils and watercolor teacher for about 15 of those years.

I would be delighted to answer your questions and to read or hear your comments. You will receive an answer within 24 hours or less.

To read more artist information click on http://valleofyellowcreekartstudioblog.com

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