"Apples and Copper" - painted in the studio
September and October 2007
1.) I begin this piece as I typically do, "lifiting out" the thin underpaint for my base drawing. I set this up in the studio - that's the great thing about still lifes, the light never changes unless the power goes out. My wife has had this great copper bowl for ages and I just thought the contrast with a bunch of really green granny smith apples would look nice...we'll see.
2.) This is a small painting and I'll practically paint it alla prima - in one session, but not quite.
3.) After I lay in my background and basic shape for the folded cloth, I begin to concentrate on the reflected shapes in the bowl. I'm able to move along at a pretty good pace because I'm essentially laying down only two values for every major object or shape. I can go back and subtley vary tints and shades later, but it's really pretty amazing how little of that I need to end up doing.
4.) Now let's move on to the apples. I start by laying down my dark value first, which I typically do...
5.) ...and then I lay in my light value with thicker paint, blending it a little here and there....
6.) I blend things a bit more and introduce a third, lighter value into the apples to really give them form...all I have left to do now is add some highlights and details and it will be finished...click here to see the finished piece...
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