Paint from the heart

“If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing.” Marc Chagall

A good quote to live by as an artist!

Here's a few shots of my process. Start to finish.

The photo was taken in Charlevoix a few years ago. Beautiful area ! Their downtown runs right along Round Lake.

STRETCHING CANVAS

I first stretched a new canvas on thick gallery wrapped stretcher bars. I have an ungodly amount of stretcher bars and canvas stashed away in my studio. I refuse to walk into another hobby store until my collection dwindles. It's become an addiction to buy another canvas.

I've gone through a few staple guns in my lifetime. Here's a good video on how to stretch for those who may want to attempt.

How to stretch a canvas.

Once my canvas is stretched, I prime my canvas with a layer of black acrylic paint. This makes my colors pop off of the canvas.

Next I start sketching out my design with either chalk or conte crayon. You can sketch with anything that will show up on the black surface. Sometimes I use thinned acrylic with a brush for a quick sketch. If I don't like it, I can easily wipe it off with a wet cloth.

I start blocking in colors. Layers start to build as time passes.

I typically have 3 -4 layers by the time the oil painting is completed.

The painting measures 30" x 48" x 1.5" Completed today! Feel free to contact Christi at info@dreesefineart.com for more information.

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