/finished%20work%20(4).JPG "Oil painting of an Elephant: Step 5")
So far I have been demonstrating the painting of an Elephant on primed 16″ x 20″ canvas using Winsor and Newton oil paint.
The technique I am using is the glazing technique. See the different types of oil painting techniques.
I started in step 1 with a charcoal sketch and monochrome under-painting. This formed the basic structure or skeleton of the painting.
In subsequent steps from step 2 to step 4, I carefully built up the painting with the application of thin layers of paint on one another after leaving each previous layer to dry.
In this step, I have continued to touch up the painting by enhancing the darkest areas (shadows) with a dark tone which is a mixture of prussian blue and burnt umber.I also used the same mixture to outline the creases and wrinkles on the trunk and legs.
/finished%20work%20(3).JPG "Oil painting of an Elephant: Step 5")
For the tusks I used a mixture of titanuim white + yellow ochre to produce an off white colour.
I also added the grasses in the foreground. For this I used a size 0 round brush and a mixture of sap green + prussian blue for the darkest tones. For the lighter tones I used yellow ochre and a bit of cadmium yellow and painted it in while the paint was wet.
The image on your left shows a close up shot of the painting as it is so far. You can see the grass she is eating and some other features.
For the grass in her mouth I used a mixture of raw sienna + sap green and a bit of titanium white.
There is a smoothness to the painting which is characteristic of glazing. This is quite unlike the alla prima technique I used to paint the African drummers.
The alla prima technique is faster to use and the paint stays fresh with rich brushstrokes. Each technique has its beauties and they all produce awesome works of art.
Every artist has a signature style which often takes time to discover and entails trying out different styles on hundreds of paintings.
I try out different techniques and though over time I am inclining more to a particular technique; I still continue to explore.
Below is a closer shot of the painting. The next post would show the finished painting.
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/finished%20work%20(2).JPG "Oil painting of an Elephant: Step 5")
Related posts:
- Oil painting of an Elephant: Step 2
- Oil painting of an Elephant: Step 3
- Oil painting of an Elephant: Step 4
- Painting of African Drummers: Step 4
- Painting of African drummers: Step 3
#1 by Sarah Lynch on August 6, 2009 - 1:53 am
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This is shaping up beautifully, thanks for sharing.
#2 by Clemento on August 6, 2009 - 6:09 pm
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Hmm… I read blogs on a similar topic, but i never visited your blog. I added it to favorites and i’ll be your constant reader.
#3 by Nkolika on August 6, 2009 - 9:27 pm
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@ Sarah;
You are most welcome.
@ Clemento;
Thanks for stopping by. Looking forward to seeing more of you.
#4 by johnny on August 7, 2009 - 7:57 am
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Hello. Thank you for this great info! Keep up the good job!
#5 by molamola on August 8, 2009 - 11:51 am
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Didn’t understand the last part. Please could you explain better please?
#6 by John on August 8, 2009 - 12:29 pm
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I read a few topics. I respect your work and added blog to favorites.
#7 by machoman on August 9, 2009 - 8:42 am
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thank you! I really liked this post!
#8 by npoet.ru on August 9, 2009 - 9:43 am
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Good and in depth article; full of useful information
#9 by Nkolika on August 9, 2009 - 1:45 pm
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@ Johnny, John, Machoman and npoet…..Thank you so very much for stopping by and for leaving such kind comments
@malamola In this step, I added the grasses in the foreground and in her mouth. I also continued to enhance the painting by touching up on several places. Please do let me know what exactly you do not understand and what you’ll like me to explain better. I would very much appreciate it.