There will be many layers after this but try to realize that with the grisaille and now this first layer of flesh we have set a pattern. The pattern will guide us and we must learn to see in our mind’s vision, how we want the skin to look. As we paint more subjects like this, our approach will become more natural. We will know what colors and techniques we need to accomplish a certain look. My students take notes and sometimes feel a little uncomfortable about that but I tell them that when I was first teaching myself, I also took notes. I might do a certain thing that I hadn’t done before. If it looked good, I wanted to remember so I made a note and kept those together so I could find them. Even an artist who is greatly gifted must learn and so each experience with a portrait is a learning experience. It is very true that the best way to learn is by painting, a lot! Diana
Monthly Archives: June 2025
indirect method
I have not figured how to add two photos. If I can, I will add the other after I finish this.
I just want you all to know that when you get the first layer of flesh on, manipulate it as well as you can, make the values and hues go where they belong and then using a soft brush, smooth them to follow the direction of light. When you are satisfied (for this layer), then buff to a high sheen. This will prepare the surface for the next layer. It always looks blotchy until you have multiple layers. The idea is to form the muscles correctly using color and light. It doesn’t seem to look very good, but you should be pleased with the end result. I will try the other photo and then do one touch up in another spot, then I must hurry with dinner. Be safe, be well, Diana
Large painting
So, how long does it take you to paint such a large painting? That is a question I often hear. The answer is, It depends. The question should be, ‘How do you cover such a large area with paint?’ Every one is thinking about direct method where you mix every color even remotely needed and then lay it on stroke by perfect stroke. Sorry, for me that is not possible. Today I wondered if I could even get up the stairs to my studio. Well, it felt that bad but now that I am here, I am in my happy place. Even so, I must choose an area to paint and get it done. My goal today is to cover an area of flesh with an under painting that is somewhat close to what I envision as my finished skin layer. I thought I would give you a peek at what this looks like. Try to understand that I am aiming for correcting proportion and shape using colors that have close to the correct value. Now that I have slapped this on as quickly but correctly as possible in a relatively short time, I will now use an old fuzzy brush to spread it into rather correct position. Next, I will buff it to a shine. Then I will sculpt the muscles to the best I can get it today. Does this sound easy? No, it is not. But I really like the results after five or six or seven layers. Bouguereau said, forty layers is not too many!
let me briefly tell you that I have been working on a special project. Soon, I will show it to you. It is an art tool which I am having manufactured now. I have been working on this for three years and trying to get the price down. I am hoping to make it available in a very limited quantity and then sell it to an art supplier for a percentage. It is a very useful tool which I designed for my own use to save time,(pain hours), and perfect the likeness. Hopefully I can show it to you soon. For now, be well, be grateful. Hugs, Diana
Diana Williams Portraits 