I like to start with a coloured canvas, just done using acrylic paint. The coloured background adds more interest to the final painting when there are hints of colour peeping through the brushstrokes.
Next, I rough in the main features of the painting, using diluted oil paint. In this case I am working from a photo as a reference.
I then start the real painting! In this case, I am working on the main features first, and the larger areas that don’t need a lot of detail.
The work is done in stages, with the large areas that don’t need a lot of detail are painted first, then later the details and more finicky areas are painted.
After all the details are added and the painting finished, the final step is to sign the artwork in the bottom right corner.
The completed work!
Amanda Nouwens 