PLANNING A PAINTING

A logical, sequential method of painting eliminates guesswork. A painting is done in layers—usually no more than five. Always start with the most distant layer, then the closer layer, and so on, until you reach the layer closest to the viewer.

BACKGROUND The background is always painted first, whether it is a still life or landscape. The background establishes the depth of the painting and provides an underpainting over which closer objects are painted. Paint the background in layers—the sky, the farthest hill, the next closer hill, the trees on each hill, and then the field.

MIDDLE GROUND When the background is complete, paint the middle ground. Here, the middle ground is the sleeping young woman. The next layer is the foreground, which completes the painting. Paint the plants on the ground rather sharp and pointed in contrast to the woman’s soft skin and worn denim shorts.

FOREGROUND The last step is always to add the final details in the foreground. Paint the detailed books and finish the various plants that grow in front of and around the model. If you remember the painting order—(1) background, (2) middle ground, and (3) foreground—your level of success will increase with each painting.

Dreaming (40" × 60") gouache on museum board, private collection

ECHOING LINES This large figure painting was meant to symbolize summer. The rolling hills repeat the curvature of the body of the young woman.