Blondie

8x10"

Oil on canvas

I’ve been staring at this drawing for about six or seven months and finally got around to painting it.  Blondie passed in June of 2012 leaving a pretty big hole in our hearts.  I was trying to figure out how to render the background.  Either I render it as a detailed backdrop or a vignette of some sort. 

 

Detail

Then I saw a figurative painting in which an artist used a palette knife to lay in the background and I had my “a-ha“ moment.  So here it is and I’m happy with the outcome.

The initial pencil drawing with several coats of spray fixative.

This time around I did a Burnt Siena acrylic wash to set up my under painting.

A mixture of turps and burnt Umber were scrubbed into the canvas and then wiped off with a paper towel.

Using a palette knife I painted in the background.

Here I started in setting up my shadows and at this stage painting in Blondie’s face.

Laying in color to her torso and legs.

Adding some finishing touches and details.