Figure Painting from Photos and Color Study

Last week, my beautiful friend Margaret came over 

and I asked her to model for me in the late afternoon sun. 

I did a quick (poorly drawn) color study in about 30 minutes

Today, I set up the study, the image and the panel together. 

I blocked in everything in shadow using all values darker than middle grey, 

using my color study as a guide 

(I draw a line down the center of my pallet

 to keep the dark and light values separate.

Once the shadow shapes are all in, 

I clean my brushes and start to use white 

on the other side.   

Red Shorts 

8 x 10 

I took my time with this and made every stroke count. 

I only gave myself one stroke per shape. 

Color studies done in actual sunlight are invaluable tools 

when painting from photos.