Blocking in is the step after your sketch, in which the canvas is covered with flat shapes that indicate where elements will go, and what color or value they’ll be. Move past outlines into shapes. You can easily shift and change things around in the blocking in phase, because no investment has been made into details or precise colors, and the paint is thin. Blocking in is when your composition is built and refined. Do not go forward into refinements of color or details until the basic big areas of shapes are satisfying on the canvas as a whole. Think of it as building a house. This is the framework and drywall. You can’t hang curtains until the house is built. (Adapted from the George Bridgman quote: “Don’t think color’s going to do you any good. Or lovely compositions. You can’t paint a house until it’s built.”)
Most artists don’t use white in the blocking in process. If you use the white of the canvas for light colors, you won’t have to wait as long for your underpainting to dry. The paint is usually thin so this layer dries quickly and can be easily painted over with slightly thicker paint. Most of this layer will be covered, so blocking in is usually a fast process, often done with a big bristle brush. Traditionally, artists start with value, and chose one earth color like a burnt umber. Modern artists might choose a single bright complimentary color that will be exciting when seen peeking in between the next layers. Contemporary artists sometimes block in with multiple colors, like a patchwork quilt, but since color is so enticing this tends to be distracting for beginning painters who generally need to practice on seeing the composition and basic forms.
For oil painting, some artists block in using water based paints like casein or acrylic because they’re less expensive and they dry faster, allowing the artist to add the next layer within an hour. Don’t dilute your acrylics with more than 20% water unless you’re ok with your painting not be archival. On the other side, thick glossy acrylic paint may be too slick for the next layer to adhere to. Keep it thin, or lightly sand between layers.
Larry Seiler, reference photo
Larry Seiler, underpainting with casein
” img_size=”400 x 400
Terry Miura, blocked in
Terry Miura, finished
” img_size=”400 x 400
” img_size=”400 x 400 MORE EXAMPLES OF UNDERPAINTING, AND BLOCKING IN:
Patty Haller, block in with casein
Sandra Kavanaugh
JcSparks
Mitchell Albala
Kenneth Kershenson
Kevin Courter
How to block in an oil painting; demo video below by Bill Inman. Nearly-finished painting below. https://youtu.be/mec8AO0xcwk[image_with_animation image_url=”2903″ alignment=”” animation=”None Seattle Artist League: art school, art classes, painting classes, figure drawing.
Do you send out a handmade holiday card this year? It’s a lot for an artist to keep up with, hand making each gift and greeting. Printmakers seem well suited for this time of year. Painters, not so much. Sending an original work of art to everyone on my list seems impossible, but an inability …
The article below has some good stuff, but it also misses some of my personal favorite points about how European artists were effected by Japanese art. In the mid/late 1800’s, European art was based on stodgy old realism, and Japanese artists had the crazy idea of using their imagination. In these Japanese prints, proportions are changed, angles are shifted, and …
Dear Ruthie, Uh, there will be vulgar language and sexxxy images in WTF Resist! I mean, even more vulgar language than usual from me. It’s all in the name of art! But I thought you should know. Let me know if you have guidelines beyond what common sensitivity dictates. Thanks, Suzanne Dear Suzanne, Ok I’ll …
[image_with_animation image_url=”6644″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Installation view of work by Raúl de Nieves, in the 2017 Whitney Biennial Raúl de Nieves What does it mean to be an American artist today? From his basement studio in Ridgewood, Queens, artist Raúl de Nieves creates an epic stained glass mural for the 2017 Whitney Biennial. Born …
Blocking In
PAINTING TECHNIQUES TO GET YOU STARTED
Blocking in is the step after your sketch, in which the canvas is covered with flat shapes that indicate where elements will go, and what color or value they’ll be. Move past outlines into shapes. You can easily shift and change things around in the blocking in phase, because no investment has been made into details or precise colors, and the paint is thin. Blocking in is when your composition is built and refined. Do not go forward into refinements of color or details until the basic big areas of shapes are satisfying on the canvas as a whole. Think of it as building a house. This is the framework and drywall. You can’t hang curtains until the house is built. (Adapted from the George Bridgman quote: “Don’t think color’s going to do you any good. Or lovely compositions. You can’t paint a house until it’s built.”)
Most artists don’t use white in the blocking in process. If you use the white of the canvas for light colors, you won’t have to wait as long for your underpainting to dry. The paint is usually thin so this layer dries quickly and can be easily painted over with slightly thicker paint. Most of this layer will be covered, so blocking in is usually a fast process, often done with a big bristle brush. Traditionally, artists start with value, and chose one earth color like a burnt umber. Modern artists might choose a single bright complimentary color that will be exciting when seen peeking in between the next layers. Contemporary artists sometimes block in with multiple colors, like a patchwork quilt, but since color is so enticing this tends to be distracting for beginning painters who generally need to practice on seeing the composition and basic forms.
For oil painting, some artists block in using water based paints like casein or acrylic because they’re less expensive and they dry faster, allowing the artist to add the next layer within an hour. Don’t dilute your acrylics with more than 20% water unless you’re ok with your painting not be archival. On the other side, thick glossy acrylic paint may be too slick for the next layer to adhere to. Keep it thin, or lightly sand between layers.
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Do you send out a handmade holiday card this year? It’s a lot for an artist to keep up with, hand making each gift and greeting. Printmakers seem well suited for this time of year. Painters, not so much. Sending an original work of art to everyone on my list seems impossible, but an inability …
8 Great Artists Who Were Inspired by Japan
The article below has some good stuff, but it also misses some of my personal favorite points about how European artists were effected by Japanese art. In the mid/late 1800’s, European art was based on stodgy old realism, and Japanese artists had the crazy idea of using their imagination. In these Japanese prints, proportions are changed, angles are shifted, and …
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Dear Ruthie, Uh, there will be vulgar language and sexxxy images in WTF Resist! I mean, even more vulgar language than usual from me. It’s all in the name of art! But I thought you should know. Let me know if you have guidelines beyond what common sensitivity dictates. Thanks, Suzanne Dear Suzanne, Ok I’ll …
Raúl de Nieves
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