Studio journal 2/5/17

 I’ve titled this new painting Down on Prospect Avenue.   The other day, I shared the painting after my first painting session with it.  

I finished the under-painting on this canvas and started “over-painting.”  What’s the difference between under- and over-painting?  

During under-painting, I treat the painting like a pen and ink drawing.  The lights result from allowing the surface tone (paper) to show through the paint.  In Down on Prospect Avenue, the surface tone is a red-gray middle tone.  

During over-painting, I treat the painting like a pastel drawing on dark paper.  I add the local colors and the light tones. 

In oil painting, it’s important to add the lights instead of letting the canvas or ground show through as you would in a watercolor.  The best paintings combine solidly painted lights with transparent darks.   

Down on Prospect Avenue is 44″ x 60.”

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