Next Step - Getting Ready to Paint

Transferring the image to watercolor paper can sometimes be very tedious. Because the paper is somewhat fragile, one has to be careful. But first.....

I scan the final drawing into Photoshop, which will have to be done in segments since my scanner bed is only 8" x 12". Once that is done, I then resize the image to that of the painting. In this case the painting will be approximately 20" x 28".

Next, I will print it out in sections, then tape it together. Voila, I now have my image to trace.

I use graphite paper to lightly trace the image onto the w/c paper. I try to be careful to press very lightly, and I don't transfer everything...some things I will paint freehand, like the blossoms, branches and bricks, and other small items, but I need the traced guideline when doing a structure. The graphite is erasable, but even though I'm using 300 lb paper which is pretty tough, I still am aware that erasing will change the surface of the paper, so the less, the better.

I find a lot of my individuality comes from the application of the paint...knowing when to go wet or dry, selection and mixing of colors. I don't want to transfer so much of the image that it seems like a paint by number, even though I did the drawing, but sometimes I have trouble drawing straight lines so I really work hard at getting the lines correct.

Another part of the "prep" before painting sometimes involves the application of masking fluid, especially in this type of painting that has many levels. But more on that when the time comes.

I hope to have all this prep work done before I start the painting in the library.

Final Drawing

Curb Confusion

Here I am last Sunday (4-5-09) trying to resolve some curb issues.

Progress update

The final drawing is nearly done....it's a detailed pencil drawing on very beautiful paper which has incorporated all of the elements I have been working on....this too will become the property of the Berkshire Athenaeum when the project is finished. Because so many of my reference photos have been taken at different times of the day and different seasons, I find I've been returning to the site to do more on scene sketching. The curbs and street lines have been throwing me off a bit, but I think I have a handle on them now. But even more important are the cast shadows....they have to be consistent...can't have a 10 am shadow on the front and a 3 pm shadow on the side. So that is what I'm working on now and very soon the final drawing will be posted.

A schedule has been arranged....I hope to see many visitors while I'm painting. A display will be set up that will provide details of the entire process. I'll be located on the main floor, not far from the front entrance.

My Painting Schedule at the library during MAY
Mondays and Thursdays 10 a.m. - 12 noon
Wednesdays 3 - 5 p.m.

I expect the painting to be completed during May, but if not, the same schedule will flow into June.