First Painting --the Monochromatic

Our first project in Painting I was the Monochromatic.  We bought a canvas for this project.  First one must understand that there are many steps to undergo in the process of creating a nice painting. (this narrative is choppy as I am tired!;-)    An imprimatura is an under painting.  The underpainting was drawn on in charcoal, and sealed with fixative.  Initially we chose a spot via lottery. Next we drew thumbnails to work out what view would create the best composition.   1.pencil sketch is first.  2. Charcoal rendition on to canvas.  3.  Then the monochromatic rendering goes over the charcoal imprimatura.

This is the monochromatic-one color tone, raw umber.  We were allowed to use white also.  In the pic below the imprimatura shows under the initial applications of value.  (we had to mix a palate of all shades of raw umber with white)

We applied a mixture of Raw Umber, paint thinner and Liquin to the canvas.  We wiped it with a rag to get the excess off. (this is after the charcoal sketch is fixed with fixative)  Next we put in dark outlines with the raw umber of the shapes.

Graphite pencil sketch below--initial effort at communicating the still life.

Charcoal on canvas below.

This is the working of the various values in the objects.

Below, it is nearly finished--

This is the studio!