Barbara Newton - Second Sight

Painting in Progress

Second Sight


Step 1. The line drawing My first step is a line drawing for placement of objects. To keep my drawing paper clean, I usually work on a lightbox and transfer only one area at a time onto my good paper.		Step 2. The Grisaille In "Second Sight" the foundation is created from black, french gray and black cherry. With careful observation of my reference photos, I work one area at a time. First the darkest areas - between the lilacs and the darkest reflections in the silver serving dish and lid.


Step 3. Tablecloth foundation Next, the openwork of the tablecloth is created. Because it is so detailed, I needed a sharper harder point so I used Verithin Black and Gray.		Step 4. Add Yellows Verithins Vermilion, Golden Brown, Orange and Terra Cotta are used to build the holes in the fabric. For the glass bowl, inside the silver serving dish and on some leaves and flowers, I use Verithin Golden Brown over the existing grisaille.

Step 5. Purples, Pinks and Greens The lilacs and their reflections are built next with Violet, Magenta, Black Cherry and Golden Brown. White edges (uncolored paper) are left on selected petals. Portions of the yellow bowl are intensified with Sunburst Yellow and Sand. Cinnamon is used as a buffer between yellows and magenta. Limepeel, Night Green, and Olive Green are added in careful gradation and juxtaposition to form the leaves of the lilacs.		Step 6. Add Detail The detail of the reflections in the silver serving dish are added next. Apple Green, Black Cherry, Limepeel, Pink and Sunburst Yellow are the colors used in the reflection of the apple. Cinnamon, Black Cherry, Sand and Olive Green are used elsewhere for shadows and. The darkest areas of reflections are made more dramatic by use of a colorless blender pencil which reduces or eliminates paper texture for dense value.

Step 7. Color the Apples
I start with the darkest value of the local color. The apples are green and three greens were used (Night Green, Apple Green and Limepeel). The darkest of these is Night Green. A light grisaille or foundation is built with Night Green followed by the two other greens. Next, Deco Yellow is added along with Cream. Magenta is used for the blush of color on each apples. Black Cherry and Black are used for interesting, colorful shadows with punch. Notice that white highlights of uncolored paper are left.

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Signed and Numbered - Image Size 13-1/2" x 15"
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Contact the artist at
barbaranewton@comcast.net