My process for painting Catalan Shades - Acrylic on canvas 60 x 30cm.
Step 1 Inspiration
Inspiration can strike in the most unexpected moments, and for me, it happened during a serene afternoon in Catalonia, Spain. I was wandering through a charming street, where the late afternoon sun cast long, dramatic shadows that danced across the cobblestones. The atmosphere was electric, brimming with a sense of timelessness, and I felt an overwhelming urge to capture that moment. I snapped a photo, intending to preserve the scene, but as soon as I looked at the image, I knew it would be more than just a memory—it would be the seed for my next painting.
That photograph, though simple, held a world of potential. The street scene, with its interplay of light and shadow, was captivating, yet I knew that the painting I envisioned would need to go beyond mere replication. The original photo, while rich in mood, served as more of a springboard for creativity rather than a template. I began by editing the image, applying a filter to enhance the colors and bring out the vibrancy that I wanted to convey on canvas. This process also allowed me to play with the composition, shifting the placement of people and objects within the scene to create a more balanced and dynamic layout.
Step 2 - Sketching the scene
With a clear vision in mind, the next step was to translate the idea onto canvas. I started by carefully sketching out the scene, beginning with the fundamentals of perspective. Establishing a vanishing point on the horizon, I lightly penciled in the lines that would guide the overall structure of the painting. This was crucial in capturing the depth and realism of the street, ensuring that every element would converge naturally within the composition.
Before diving into the details, I primed the canvas with a base layer of color. This not only set the tone for the painting but also provided a foundation that would allow the subsequent layers to pop with vibrancy. As I sketched in the people and features of the street, I began to feel the scene come alive under my hands, the characters and architecture slowly taking shape.
Step 3 - Blocking in the colours
Once I was satisfied with the initial sketch, it was time to bring the scene to life with color. I began by blocking in the major elements with bold, broad strokes of paint. At this stage, the focus was on establishing the overall color scheme and ensuring that the balance of tones felt right. The street, the buildings, and the figures all started to emerge from the canvas, each infused with the enhanced colors that I had envisioned from the start.
This part of the process is always thrilling, as it’s where the painting begins to take on its own identity. The broad strokes provided a base that would be refined and detailed in the next stages, but even now, I could see the potential of the piece as the vivid hues started to breathe life into the scene
Step 4 - Bringing the painting to life
With the basic composition and colors in place, the final step was to enhance and refine the painting, adding layers of detail and depth. This stage required patience and a careful eye, as I worked to capture the nuances of light and shadow that had originally inspired me. I used glazing techniques to build up the layers of paint, adding subtle variations in tone that would give the painting a sense of realism and texture.
As I applied the finishing touches, I could feel the painting capturing the essence of that Catalonian street. The interplay of colors, the dynamic composition, and the careful attention to detail all came together to create a piece that not only reflected the original scene but also conveyed the emotion and atmosphere I felt in that moment.
In the end, this painting is more than just an artistic reproduction; it’s a tribute to the inspiration I found in the streets of Catalonia, a reminder of how a single moment can ignite the creative spirit and lead to the creation of something truly unique.
Commentaires