An Example Of How I Create My Art
My paintings are created with watercolor and ink or when the message demands, I combine multiple mediums to create my paintings. The drawings are designed often from multiple life drawings or often multiple photographs carefully created and arranged to enhance the message of the artwork. The mixed media paintings are often a combination of watercolor, pen, ink, and pastel utilizing each medium's strength to produce a unique and creative perspective. I love to connect with people, so I am looking forward to hearing from you.
For example, a recent client wanted a portrait of a favorite dog that had recently passed away for his wife as a birthday present. I started with a couple of images of the sweet pup and gathered all the notes and information I could about their beloved friend. She had lost most of her coloring as he aged so I was provided a mid-life image of Lady, as they called her, when she still had some of her beautiful markings.
Here are a couple of reference photos I worked from. Of course, if Lady had been still with us, I would have a done photo shoot of her for the project.
Next, I looked for a wonderful background in which to place their beloved Lady. I found a garden near Manchester, Tennessee with a walkway I could adapt for the portrait. Here is the reference image I started with for the background:
The next step is to develop a sketch, a rough or unfinished drawing for a painting. Here are a couple of the sketches I developed for this portrait.
One sketch utilized a graphite pencil but the other sketch was more involved. I utilized graphic design techniques for an electronically developed drawing. Adding water-soluble ink to the printed drawing provided tone and depth to get a feel for the background to be utilized for Lady In the Garden. A different vision of the walkway was needed so I moved in closer to the steps and the pavers, then changed their direction.
The next step was to combine the two sketches into a drawing for the painting. Since one of the images was in electronic form, I scanned the graphite drawing into an electronic image and graphically combined the two sketches into a drawing for the painting. This saves me time and provides an electronic drawing that can be adjusted throughout the painting process if necessary. I print my images on watercolor or fiber paper with very permanent high-quality ink.
Here is the initial drawing I created for the portrait and the paper I utilized. The first drawing is to establish basic shapes with some shading. I am focused on the focal point of the portrait which in this case are the eyes and nose of the dog.
In the next stage, I add more darks with ink to give form to the elements in the portrait. Darks give the illusion of depth in the painting. Continuing to focus on the eyes and nose is still of utmost importance. If I have any issues with my details since I am utilizing permanent ink, I must go back to my earlier drawing and start over. This is possible since it is in electronic form.
At this point, I selected the cool palette of colors for the portrait, and I start to paint with transparent watercolors to retain the luminance provided by the light passing through the watercolor bouncing off the white paper substrate. The application of watercolor at this stage enhances the depth and form I have already established with the underlying layers of ink. The painting starts to come alive. I will, however, not hesitate to use more ink, if necessary, as well.
The next image shows how I select and test some of the colors before applying them to the portrait drawing. I usually paint light to dark since I have added shadows and form to the painting with ink in the previous step. Applying the colors in layers, I usually mix the colors on the painting rather than in my pallet after testing the layers on a scrap sheet of fiber paper or in a ceramic dish.
After painting with watercolor and ink, I applied fixative to the portrait so the painting would take pastel in the softening process. Here are the pastels I utilize for painting at this stage.
The fixative allows me to go right over the top of the watercolor to soften and provide fluffy details not possible at the watercolor stage of the painting. When I am finished with the pastels, additional coats of fixative are applied to seal the pastels onto the painting.
This is the final painting after all the mediums were applied and the coats of fixative have dried.
Lady of the Garden
Watercolor, Ink, and Pastel
11 inches by 14 inches
Fiber Paper
By Jeff Mayfield
Email: [email protected]
This is the delivery of the painting to Tony and Nan Ashley for her birthday.
I would love to discuss how we can provide an artistic experience for you and your family. Contact me at [email protected]
