New Painting: "Safety of the Sunset", 36"x48" by Allan Chow 2012

Step1: Drawing using a grid.

Step 1: So the painting started off with a sketch on paper.  I used a grid system as shown above to help me with transferring all the detail from the skyline due to the scale of the canvas and the complexity of the subject matter. Multiple reference photos were used to compose this image. After a day's worth of work, this is what I got. After I am done, I spent some down time  contemplating and thinking about colors that I can start working with. In the end I decided to start with the Western Auto building and it's warm colors.

Step 2: Under painting while losing and re-discovering my drawing.

Step 2: I began to experiment with grouping my warm and cool colors on the canvas. At the same time, I am establishing my values and textures with the first layer of colors. I will spend the next day or two building up the first two layers. This phase is quite challenging for I begin to lose my drawing and I have to re-establish my drawing with paint but this gives me an opportunity to make changes to my drawing if necessary. I used some greens, purples and phthalo blue for my background; burnt sienna, cad red and cad orange for the foreground.

Step 3: Drawing re-discovered, experimenting with values and colors.

Step 3: As I continue to apply paint, I continue to figure out how much detail I want the painting to have. From experience, I usually trust my painter's instincts to guide me as I work. I will indeed make mistakes. Whatever I am or do, as long as I continue to apply paint, I will usually find the way. Patience is my friend at this point. I work from dark to light so I decided the trees in the foreground to be the darkest.

Step 4: Painting is coming to life. Happy accidents discovered!

 Step 4: As you can see here, I knew the sky was a wrong color even though the value is right. Its no problem, since it requires a few layers before I am satisfied anyway. This allows layers to show through when I am done. In step 6, you can clearly see where I left the green alone in the top right corner. I like the contrast of the blues and greens against the warm yellow and oranges. I will spend the next week or two choosing how much detail I need to complete the painting.

Step 5: A lot of time passed, light and detail established.

Step 5: There would've been a lot of psychological battles at this point. It took me quite a while but I was excited as I established the highlights on the trees below. My confidence began to build as I am in love with the warmest of the leaves complimenting with the warm bricks of the Western Auto building combined with the shadows it casted on the ground as it defined the streets and surrounding buildings abstracted by shapes of blues in the center of the painting. Not sure why I left the streets orange but I like it.

 

Step 6: Drying time. Deliver final painting.

Step 6: Another a week went by, I began to see the light at the end of this long tunnel. I managed to find a the balance of light, detail and color in the painting that I was searching for. As always, I try to create a dance floor filled with exuberant colors only found in dreams. A month later, I had to stop because the painting was due in a week and much drying time is needed. Hope you enjoyed the process. Until next time :-)