It's All in the Details

I wanted to create a post about my painting process using my small 4x4 pieces as examples. I think being able to see the difference of backgrounds and level of detail can help others understand the time I put into my work.

Three different stages of my painting process.

The rose on the left could still use more layers of paint and detail to help create a more 3-D quality (depth.)

The poppy in the middle has a detailed background with some contrast and a little detail in the middle.

The flowers on the right has the most intricate background with a lot of contrast and detail. I used black ink and metallic paint for a finishing touch.

My standard background with little detail and contrast.

Standard background with some intricate linework. Flower has more contrast and the middle has more detail.

Elaborate background with intricate detail. Flowers have high contrast and detail. I used a black ink pen to outline the flowers and swirl as well as metallic paint highlights.

I always start my paintings with this type of background.

This is an example of a more detailed, elaborate background. I used a white Posca pen for the linework. The green splatters is from spray paint residue.

I would consider the background on the left to be in the same realm as the one on the right. A lot of it will get covered up once I start painting my subject matter, ex. flower.

In this case, the subject, mushroom, has a lot of detail linework with contrast. I kept the background solid so the linework of the mushroom wouldn't compete with the background. Also, the mushroom painting has been varnished. The piece on the left is unvarnished. You can see the difference of the richness of color between the backgrounds.

"Small Morel No.6" will be available at Joy Fest Saturday, Dec. 6th.

Thanks for reading! Hope I see lots of people out and about this Saturday. It will be cold so bundle up.