Today’s assignment was putting together the plan for tonight’s live painting event. Or from my point of view, painting off site. I hope I am always alive when I paint!
An hour and a half is not a long time to paint a 30″x24″ painting. My layer upon layer process usually requires me to put the painting aside, work on another and come back to add the next layer. For instance I will lay the sky in on a canvas and let it dry often until the next day before I add the background, mid-ground, and foreground. Each might take at least an overnight before I move to the next design area.
Not so tonight. So I have written a map of sorts, a sequence of areas to paint, hopefully allowing the background time to dry before adding the next design element. I have also pre-mixed my paints with the medium I use for my first layer of color.
People often ask how long a painting takes to complete. The hidden time is amazing: pondering design elements, process, and specific paint colors can take a relatively huge amount of time. The perfect color in the perfect spot is after all what makes a great piece of art. Then there’s the time consumed in selection (as in where exactly is that tube of paint?) and mixing of the first layer, making sure I have the right tools in hand, the easel at the right height, the lighting correct, etc. All before the first knife of paint has danced across the canvas.
Usually I paint the first layer before I select the detail palette and prepare my tray of paints for finishing. Not so today. Anticipating the details is what it’s been about as I have prepared my tray of over 30 hues to develop tonight’s masterpiece. I am as ready as I can be. Master plan in writing in case my mind forgets, enough paint to finish at least two pieces I’m sure (don’t want to run out!), palettes prepared, supplies boxed. I am set.
Now it’s time to GO!
Deborah Gall 
August 11th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
I’m impressed – I never would have agreed to do something like that. I also work in layers and have always wondered how people can just start painting and finish it within a few hours. But I can see that you are prepared! Good luck!