Recently, I returned from a very stressful day and escaped into my art room to continue to paint an oil portrait of my daughter. I’m an amateur artist who finds it difficult to follow instructions, so I usually go with my impulse. I decided to erase the charcoal lines for the nose that I’d sketched by using a projector.
Next, I did the naughty and smeared the Shiva Oil Paintstiks onto the canvas with my finger. I’d read somewhere that you shouldn’t mix the oil from your hands with oil paint, but I just couldn’t resist.
After several attempts to mix the colors I wanted, I busted out my color wheel and forced myself to read the instructions.
Then the fun part started. I mixed the paint to create different colors.
I then added a darker color for the nose.
I was having a terrible time getting the nose to look right, so I flipped the photo and canvas upside down. This approach helps you to bypass your logical mind and preconceived notions of shape and form. I’d remembered this trick from a college art instructor. (I think his name was Professor White, but it’s been 13 years since I took that class.)
This upside down approach helped me with the nose and eyes, although they are still far from what I want to achieve. Next, I started to paint the lips…and this is where I leave you. Stay tuned for my next oil portrait in process post.
Painting with Shiva Oil Paintstiks can be very relaxing if you don’t get hung up on doing it perfectly. When I paint, I set my logical mind aside and create from this other place inside of me. Painters talk about “going into the zone,” a peaceful state when you paint from artistic impulse.
After a difficult day, painting helps me to unwind and forget. I find the term “amateur artist” quite freeing because it allows me to be “in process” without the pressure to perform.
Here’s the finished product.
JoDee Luna Art 