About Me--click photo

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Eldora, Iowa, United States
Hello- welcome to my blog. My name is Tom Christopher and I have been a landscape artist for many years. I enjoy painting scenes near my home in rural Eldora, Iowa. I am a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and a Charter Member of the Pastel Society of Iowa.

2013 Workshops

2013 PASTEL WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

1. May 4 and 5...Maquoketa Art association. Maquoketa Iowa.
2. May 18 and 19 Des Moines Art Center. Des Moines Iowa
3..September 12,13,and 14 Eurekas Springs Art center
Eurekea Springs Ar.







Friday, October 2, 2009

Short lesson on underpainting


Hello- when I am instructing a painting class I do spent one or two sessions on just underpainting. I believe a well developed underpainting only enhances the final painting.

Here is an example of how I approach underpainting using watercolors. I use water color as it does not alter the surface of the uart paper . I use the 400 grit.
As you can see I have laid out he composition and was able to settle on the color scheme well before I apply any pastel. i have tried simply splashing water color on the pastel surface in a random fashion , however I feel I am able to focus more on the subject and composition when I stay with the design of the piece . As with pastels, when applying watercolor, I start with the dark areas first to create a vlaue study. I then add the local colors ie: yellow and rusts.

1 comment:

  1. Thank you for posting your underpainting. It's a very good start for your painting and very inspiring.

    ReplyDelete