Transfering Reference Photo to Canvas

• 1). Crop the reference photo to the appropriate dimensions. If you are working on a 20-by-30 inch canvas, your reference photo should have the same 4-by-6 proportions.
  
  
• 2). Secure the canvas to the wall in a completely vertical position to avoid distortion.
  
  
• 3). Place the photo onto an opaque art projector and project the image onto the canvas. Adjust the position of the projector and focus as necessary.
  
  
• 4). Trace the projected image onto the canvas using a graphite pencil. Avoid moving or shifting the position of the canvas as you work. Focus on outlines and major areas of light and shadow.
  
  
• 5). Refine the drawing by careful comparison to the original photograph.
  
  
• 6). Seal the drawn image onto the canvas with fixative spray. Then cover the entire canvas with a thin coat of gesso to prevent graphite from bleeding through into the oil paint.
  
  
• 7). Sand the gesso lightly once dry to remove any texture and brushstrokes.
  
  

Underpainting

• 1). Mix a grayscale palette of 10 values of paint using Mars Black and Flake White. The grayscale should go from pure Mars Black as Value 1 to pure Flake White as Value 10.
  
  
• 2). Begin the underpainting using this monochrome palette. Work from light to dark values. Concentrate on refining areas of light, mid-tone and shadow in each object in the painting.
  
  
• 3). Refine the underpainting until the entire canvas is covered with at least one coat of paint. Let the underpainting dry completely before continuing.
  
  

Adding Color

• 1). Prepare a series of five darkening agents using Ivory Black and Burnt Umber. Mix these colors to the following ratios: pure Ivory Black, 2 parts Ivory Black plus 1 part Burnt Umber, 1 part Ivory Black plus 1 part Burnt Umber, 1 part Ivory Black to 2 parts Burnt Umber and pure Burnt Umber.
  
  
• 2). Work one area of color at a time, darkening as appropriate to match light, mid-tone and shadow areas. Warmest colors such as yellow and orange should be darkened with pure Burnt Umber or the 2-to-1 Burnt Umber-Ivory Black darkener. Coolest colors such as purple and blue, should be darkened with pure Ivory Black or the 2-to-1 Ivory Black-Burnt Umber darkener. Mid-temperature colors such as red and green will use the 1-to-1 Ivory Black-Burnt Umber darkener.
  
  
• 3). Blend transitional areas of the paint while wet using clean brushes to create a smooth, realistic effect. Do not lose sharp edges which appear in the reference photo. Go over the entire background of the painting with a large fan-brush, working first horizontally and then vertically to blur areas of background and create a hyper-focused image in the foreground.
  
  

Finishing Painting

• 1). Add highlights. Tint Titanium White with a small amount of pigment, then apply with light, quick brushstrokes. Do not blend into under-layers of paint.
  
  
• 2). Add thin glazes of paint to refine the painting's colors and shadows. Mix a small amount of pigment with your painting medium and apply with a soft brush.
  
  
• 3). Apply a protective coat of varnish once the painting is thoroughly dry.