My process…
PROCESS:When starting a new painting, I lightly sketch out the main subject onto the canvas first, then mix the colours. I start by painting the background first, working from the back towards the front and leaving my main subject for last.
Using oils, I like to paint in layers, steadily building the painting between coats. My current method of painting is to paint the first layer as accurately as possible. I aim to almost get my painting the way I want it on the first go, meaning that the second or third coat of paint is more about glazes, texture and further refinement.
When working on the backgrounds, my intention is to obtain gradients and gradual transitions from light to shadow, to subtly express form and shape. Through this soft, cleanly painted use of gradients, the illusion of three-dimensional shape forms the bases of my painting. I usually work to create large, swirling transitions alongside small, tight transitions from light to shadow. Alternatively, I sometimes keep my backgrounds minimalist, following the same approach with this style. Working in sections, I enjoy utilising the wet paint to create gentle fluidity and harmony within the colour values.
Once complete, I continue to paint the main subject of the piece, focusing on sharper, more defined edges using stronger colour. I further expand into reflections, highlights, value in colour, and more complex ways of utilizing value to express something in a painting. Once complete I return to add additional layers, refining finer details, adding glazes in areas to create further depth and vibrancy where needed.
The colours I used for both these paintings where by Michael Harding:
A beautiful mix of various shades of green where achieved from the gorgeous new Green Gold - my current favourite oil.
To achieve the various greens I mixed Green Gold with: Titanium White; Cadmium Golden Yellow; Lead Tin Yellow; pale blue (a mix of Indigo and Titanium White).
For the seeded grass I used Pyrelene Violet; Transparent Oxide Brown; Cadmium Golden Yellow and Lead Tin Yellow.
The purple / blue flowers were a combination of Deep Purple Dioxide; Titanium White and the pale blue mix above.
My larger paintings usually take between 50 to 70 hours to complete, including varnishing.
