Process: Oil Painting Still Life Arrangement and Underdrawing

I have really enjoyed the oil painting process!

I began by setting up my composition. Although I hadn't even begun to paint, this step certainly took the longest, as I wanted my composition to be strong, which, in turn, would lead to a strong painting. When choosing my overarching theme, I decided I wanted to depict consumerism in my work, so I implemented an old phone, a couple of bracelets, and a nostalgic pop-it into my arrangement. Through trial, error, and Coach Hall's advice, I ended up with the following composition, strategically layering and overlapping the objects to create visual interest.

From there, I started a loose under-drawing in vine charcoal to outline the shapes of my composition. Vine charcoal is particularly useful because it can be scrubbed off the canvas using a paper towel if the lines prove to not be accurate. I particularly did a lot of "erasing' to ensure that the objects overlapped each other on the canvas to continue the visual interest from the composition.

I still have a long ways to go in finishing my painting, but through this process, I have begun to appreciate oil painting to a greater extent. Not only is it difficult to paint realistically, but it takes a great amount of skill and effort to set up a successful composition to set the stage for a successful painting. I look forward to start painting on the canvas and to learn more about the complex and enjoyable still life process.