Toning the Ground with Burnt Umber: Carousel Step by Step Demo

The Finished Painting:

Carousel  16x20    (Sold)

The reference photo:

I started by toning the entire 16x20 canvas panel with acrylics burnt umber.  I then drew in the contours of the drawing with a yellow pastel pencil. I then brushed in the darkest darks and the lightest lights. 

I then began palette mixing and applying the local colors, focusing on mixing the correct hue, value, and saturation level of each color. Mixing the exact color you need or desire is tremendously important.  If you need help with color mixing check out the color mixing demo. 

Never assume you have the correct color mixed.  Take the time to paint of swatch of what you have mixed on  your palette and visually compare your mixture to the actual color on the reference.

Acrylics dry quickly, so I'm able to paint in crisp, thick highlights over flatter, duller passages during the same painting session if desired.

 I chose to add more detail to the center of interest (the eyes, nose, and mouth) and to include less detail in the outlying areas of the hair, neck, and background. 

The finished painting:

Carousel  16x20

Building On A Two Value Underpainting

I started by coating the entire canvas in pure black acrylic paint.  (If desired another  color -like umber for example, can be substituted for blac k.) I then used white charcoal to indicate only the lightest areas in the composition, creating my two value 'statement.'

                                                                         

Next I painted over the charcoal with white acrylic gesso.  Nearly the entire story is told with simple shapes and only two values. 

                                                                             

I then palette mixed the home colors and started brushing them in transparently.  The various passages naturally  conform to the light/dark value structure set up  in the previous step.  The light passages stay lighter and the dark passages remain darker.  (If you need help with mixing color see my color mixing tutorial )

I continue to palette mix and apply the paint.  I make final value adjustments and paint in smaller details. I lightened the pavement to create more contrast with the row of cars. 

Easton Detention Center  11x14

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