|
Stage 1 - Blank Sheet After being provided with an image/photo to work from I often need to enlarge it or enhance the photo using Adobe Photoshop CS3. By making small adjustments to the photo it allows me to sketch a more accurate picture, which will in turn lead to a nicer looking painting. I never adjust the physical properties of the photograph; only enhance the tones, contrast or saturation. If requested I can adjust any photograph/image to your requirements. I've been using Photoshop for years and can easily enhance the photo or remove any unwanted content prior to painting. | | 
| Stage 2 - Initial Sketching At this stage I will sketch the photo and enlarge it slightly to cover an A4 sheet of paper. At this stage I will identify similar colored sections from within the photo and sketch around them. This stage takes the longest time as it's essential to do a quality work as it will later use it to paint the final artwork. | 
| | Stage 3 - Further Sketching After completing the initial sketching, I will then work over the sketch and add further detail and make adjustments where needed. You can see already the sketch resembles John Travolta. There is still a lot of work to do before it is finished. |  | | Stage 4 - Adding Tone
At this stage I will begin to add tone to the sketch to make sure it looks good before I start work on the canvas. Much of the detail would still be left out from this stage of the sketch. The sketch is merely a guide for me when I start painting on the canvas. |  | | Stage 5 - Further Tonal Work
The photograph to the right shows further work to the sketch. I have used water-colour pencils in this example; they come into a world of their own when I'm doing colored work. But for this example they are not so important. |  | | Stage 6 - Detailing After the water-colours have dried I then run over the image adding detail with a pencil. These are the final touches before I start work on the canvas. |  | | Stage 7 - Finished Initial Sketch
The photo to the right shows a basic initial sketch. The John Travolta image I used was simple to work from as I wanted to demonstrate the necessary stages it takes to produce my artwork. That being said, from start to finish this took me 1.5 hours. Some artwork I have produced in the past has taken me in excess of 4 hours to reach this stage of the painting. I will now use this sketch to guide me whilst painting. |  | | | | | | | | | |
|
Before & After 
