Let's Get Started!
Paint with Joni >> Oil Painting Lessons >> Lets Get Started in Oil Painting
Wake up as an artist; be an artist each day. Do what is before you to do. Be still, open, and willing.
-Aliye Cullu
It is now time to start sketching your composition. Experiment, if you
wish, with what object(s) should be the point(s) of focus. Lightly sketch
your rule of thirds lines on you sketchpad. Visualize the lines of your
painting and your points of focus and their relation to the rule of thirds.
Remember, the rule of thirds is not meant to be a restrictive rule, but
an aid. Use it, but don't necessarily be ruled by it. Ask yourself, are
your eyes drawn into the picture and to the intended point of focus? If
not, how may I accomplish this? Should I vary the lighting, use color or
should there be natural lines or pathways for the eye to follow? Perhaps
I should use all of these methods. Are the eyes drawn from the left edge
of the painting to the point of focus? Again, this is a guideline. Use it
if it helps. Do the eyes travel out of the picture on the right (this could
be distracting) or are they drawn back in?
You may now want to make some notes about the colors you will be using and
how you are going to use them. Pay particular attention to the light source.
Is it from the right, left, front, back or above? Perhaps it is diffuse,
such as on an overcast or foggy day. With light and color you can exercise
control over the mood of the painting.