When not at my desk (or in rainy Wales), I have been working hard on a couple of still life paintings. I am still at the very beginning of learning oil painting techniques, so I have been painstakingly trying out different methods to see what suits me best.
Reading up on Old Master techniques, I was attracted to the notion of building up a painting in many layers. One of the early layers is known as “The Dead Layer”. Put basically, it is where the composition is painted with a limited palette (monochrome with a slightly olive hue), and should look as though the scene is lit by moonlight. On top of this layer you then use colour glazes and thicker high and low lights to completion.
I have adapted this idea to the two paintings I have started, and while I have not strictly produced two “Dead Layer” paintings, they are very much in this direction. I have enjoyed this technique as it allows you to focus on form and tonal values without adding the extra complication of colour at too early a stage. I have a little more work to do on each painting in order to resolve a few details, then I will be progressing to colour glazes and colorisation.
Meanwhile, my portrait of James has seriously hit the rocks. I hope it’s recoverable… I may have to begin again and chalk version one down to the learning curve.