LindaHugues.com
  • Home
  • Paintings
    • Greece
    • Florida
    • France
    • Italy
    • Commissions
  • Blog
  • About
  • Events
  • Contact

Painting Step by Step

4/4/2019

2 Comments

 
Picture
Detail, "Follow Me", St. Petersburg, oil, 36"x36", ©Linda Hugues, $2,500.
My Process
Did you ever look at a painting and say, "How do they DO that??" Well here's your chance to see. This is a step by step record of my progress (and missteps) as I painted one of my latest.

"Follow Me" is a scene from St. Petersburg, a beautiful city on Tampa Bay that attracts retirees from around the world. I wanted to capture the chic, laid-back vibe of a Saturday morning on Beach Boulevard.

I always work from my own photos to create a composite image that tells the story.
4"x4" pen and ink value drawing.
First lines on canvas.
Adding darker values.
Restating the main drawing lines in black.
Detail of the finished drawing
Adding darker darks and lighter lights.
I start with the strongest colors.
Adding color to the sky and palm trees.
Working on the other buildings, background greenery, street, figures, and dog.
I really love this palm tree shadow on the building.
I wanted this guy and his scooter to stay in the shadow so as not to detract from the couple.
I like the sense of movement of this couple and their dog.
Lightening sky and street and adding values to show form in sunlight. Now, after three weeks, finally finished!
Not A Piece of Cake
When I look at these images of my progress it looks so easy and straightforward! But with each step I consider multiple options for form, line, value, and intensity. I ask myself, "Does this part work? Does it work with the rest of the painting?"

When I think I'm finally finished, I put the painting away for about a week so I can look at it with a fresh eye and make final adjustments. Then all that's left is the signature and a coat of varnish. And on to the next painting!
2 Comments
Helen Huntley
4/20/2019 02:35:05 pm

This was so interesting and helpful. Thank you for sharing your process. It was a pleasure talking with you at Mainsail today. Best wishes.

Reply
Linda Hugues link
4/23/2019 02:42:19 pm

Hi Helen,

I'm so pleased that you enjoyed my blog and that we were able to meet at Mainsail last weekend. I'm glad the post was helpful. If you need more info I'm always willing to answer questions by email.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Welcome

    I'm Linda Hugues and I paint cityscapes from my travels in Europe and my home in Florida. Here on my monthly blog I write about everything related to my art life, in and out of the studio.  Enjoy!

    To get my latest work in your inbox every month click here to subscribe to my newsletter.


    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016

All images and content copyright Linda Hugues 2019.
  • Home
  • Paintings
    • Greece
    • Florida
    • France
    • Italy
    • Commissions
  • Blog
  • About
  • Events
  • Contact