Here is a step-by-step visual guide taken whilst painting one of my latest pieces called ‘Mysterious Unknown’.

You will see, further on in this blog, that I decided to try my ‘upside-down drip technique’ on the trees — I was branching out (yup, I had to say that!).

Specs

It is an acrylic on canvas — 30″ x 36″.

Inspiration Behind the Art

I wanted to create a feeling of excited but anxious anticipation with this piece. A feeling of not knowing what lies ahead because you just can’t quite make it out but also being curious and elated about what might be there…the air of mystery that hangs in front of us, just before we step into change.

Mildly interesting note: Even when I am painting the background layer (as seen above) I am mindlessly doodling circles and spirals. My hand just can’t stop the motion of the universal ocean (I’m a poet and I don’t know it…yeah, yeah).

Fancy This On Your Wall?

The original has found its home in Australia but, if you click on the photo below, you can purchase greeting cards and prints.

If you enjoyed this post, you may enjoy these too:

Art In The Making — A Step-by-Step Guide on Painting Landscapes

A Look Behind the Scenes — Painting an Abstract Landscape

5 Tips on Getting Back In The Groove

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Please read Part 1 and Part 2 if you wish to recap.

Let The Painting Begin…

So with the prelim sketch having been accepted, the real work starts. You will see, in the photographs below, just why I never show the client the process.

Layering

Art is done in stages and layers and, usually, only the artist can see where they are going with the process. If someone were to step into your studio, say, whilst you were busy with your first layer, they would — no doubt — think you were an amateur.

“The reward for any artist is seeing the process evolve into your visualization of it.”

Paintings are built up layer upon layer until the desired outcome is realized. The reward for any artist is seeing the process evolve into your visualization of it.

Here are the beginning stages:

The canvas is good to go…

The first layer begins…

The second layer starts and you begin to see where this is going…

And then, drum roll, the finished product (or is it?)

Just to recap, here is the prelim sketch that I worked from:

I was very clear with my client that the prelim sketch would not show the intensity of the acrylic paint colours. The sketch is always just an ‘idea’ of the colour scheme.

Next…

The next step in the process is to e-mail a photo of the painting to the client. In this case, my client came to see it in person.

The Plot Thickens — Hitting Unforseen Snags

This is where things get interesting. Next week I will give the final stage in this commission and divulge what to do if your client has a slight change of mind or vision for the project.

Read Part 4