Designing and Drawing
This little painting was fun to paint, also good exercise to paint the elaborate markings on each of the kittens.
I found some images of kittens at play, placing them around my easel with my paper already at drawn at the correct size for my painting. Designing the composition, is my favourite part of the painting as I have mentioned many times. Drawing to me is like a jigsaw puzzle, I find that once one piece is in place the others just come together quickly.
Jon Drawing The Composition
Tracing Using Lightbox
I used my lightbox to trace this drawing onto tracing paper, having the light behind the drawing does assist with the tracing.
Design Traced and Drawn On Canvas
I mixed a background colour, blocking in to the outlines of the images. I then mixed a foreground colour blocking in the light and dark tones. Finally mixing a underpainting colour for the ball of wool in the foreground.
Blocking In Background
I decided to do some changes to the composition; this is something that I don’t do very often however I felt it would make the composition more interesting. Working in oil paints gives you the advantage of changing the composition and over painting.
Changes To Composition
I decided to do some changes to the composition; this is something that I don’t do very often however I felt it would make the composition more interesting. Working in oil paints gives you the advantage of changing the composition and over painting.
Continuing To Block In Colour and Shapes
I continued blocking in with shapes and colour, the background needed repainting and more detail added. Light and dark tones were needed for the kitten’s markings.
Painting Completed
Looking back at the finish painting I was pleased with the piece of artwork. These little kittens did test my ability with their unique markings and keeping the painting loose, leaving just one kitten with a Christmas hat was right in my opinion. I hope you enjoyed it.