If you missed my last email about the 3-step guide to planning a successful painting (part one), you could read it here:https://yingmclane.com/three-step-guide-to-planning-a-successful-painting/

Step two of planning a successful painting: 

After a viable idea, envision as many details as possible, including colors, compositions, the feeling you want to convey, and the painting style you’d like to use. 

When I painted the “Lion and Lamb,” I wanted the warmth from the Lion, the lamb, and my youngest son radiant against a blue background. I wanted to convey the feeling of hope. 

I don’t want to make a super-realistic replica of reference photos. Instead, I wanted to try a new technique: pointillism. 

The result is a dreamy-looking painting with soft and subtle blended colors.  

To know more about pointillism and its famous origin,  check out this post: 

https://www.wikihow-fun.com/Expand-Your-Painting-Repertoire-with-Pointillism

Step Three:

Do one or more sketches, laying out an elemental composition and primary colors. 

You can do this on a piece of paper or a small canvas. 

I like to paint on a piece of scrap watercolor paper. Watercolor is easy and convenient to paint. I also like to paint a small canvas if I want to do a more detailed bigger size canvas. 

By doing so, you can compare and decide if you like the composition and color combination. 

You can do a rough painting and throw it away afterward. 

Or you can do a small finished painting on canvas for sale later, or give it out as a gift after you transfer it to a bigger  canvas. 

I hope this guide will help you start something marvelous next time!

Don’t forget to join my private Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437940910025060

Follow my Instagram account for inspiration: https://www.instagram.com/yingmclane/

Happy painting!

Ying

The post A three-step guide to planning a successful painting (part two)  appeared first on Ying McLane.