Where to Start

 

Where to Start

by Miss Emmaus Roberts

        In any painting, one of the first steps is to assess the background. For example, if there is a sky or any specific color I need to paint in order to fill in the background. From experience I know that it is a little easier to do it first, than to  wait till after and have to trace everything. 

        Next, assess the source of light in the image you are following. A source of light gives a painting life, it takes it from flat and still to lively and radiant. Is the light coming from corners, the middle, the sun, or a man-made light source? These are all questions needing to be asked.

        Then, assess the primary focus and secondary focus point where you want the viewers to look. Typically, the sun is a focal point since it brings so much life to a picture. 

P.S. It's completely natural to mess up when painting or drawing, so don't give up on that artwork! Keep going! In all honesty, most of the time other people don't even see it. Hopefully this helps!