this is a little painting (20 x 25cm) that I worked up form a sketch and a photo
please excuse the shading on the paper, I was working by lamplight on a dull day.
Step 1 - pencil drawing
Step 2. ink in the drawing and erase all the pencil marks
Step 3. Paint in a wet in wet cobalt blue wash and 'pull out' the clouds with a damp tissue
leave to dry
step 4. working from top to bottom.
- A pale wash for the tops of distant buildings
- Slightly stronger colours for the awnings and umbrellas
- Working wet in wet for the mottle yellow wash on the right hand wall
leave to dry
Step 5. I know I always say do your darks first but in this case I am simply painting in small shapes of darkness that I have already drawn - like painting by numbers. Placing these darks helps me to gauge the intensity of colours and level of contrast needed for the foreground
Step 6. Likewise I put in the foreground in layers of washes before I choose colours for all the people and produce.
Step 7. Now I am placing reds and greens.
- I choose red for the motorbike and the lantern to balance the orange awnings. Actually the lantern is white and the bike was navy blue.
- I have added some interest through the open window on the left imagining that the orange and blue awnings would be carrying on down the street to the right.
- I have added some shadows behind the lady in the front and in the middle and put in some bowls and sacks under the shadow of the awning to the left.
Step 8. Gradually I add colour to the clothing on the figures trying to keep a balance of colour as I go. Sometimes I have to add shadows and texture to the tops and trousers and put in more shadows behind people to bring them forward.
I add more texture into the produce.
step 9. Add some more shadows under baskets and the red motorbike. strengthen the shadows under the market ladies to make it look sunnier.
Insert palm trees in the background.
