Welcome to the enchanting Glen Orkey, nestled in the Dark River Valley, where the old mill house stands as a testament to time. Today, I have the pleasure of painting this captivating scene, complete with an old truck partially buried in gravel and grass, under the warm embrace of the sun. This setting offers a rich tapestry of textures and colors, making it an ideal subject for our painting journey. I am thrilled to be here with John Crump, a renowned painter whose expertise has been invaluable during my stay. Using all of John's equipment, from his fine Belgian linen canvas to his palette of colors and brushes, I aim to immerse myself in his painting technique. This chapter captures my learning experience, as John guides me with insightful feedback, helping me refine my skills. As we explore this scene together, you'll discover how to adapt and enhance a landscape to create a compelling composition. Let's embark on this creative adventure and see what we can achieve under the brilliant Glen Orkey sun.
This guide accompanies the full video lesson. The lesson includes the complete narrated video, the printable PDF chapter, and personalised critique support.
Use Winsor & Newton Liquin, which comes in a litre or half litre bottle. If it's too thick, add a tiny bit of turpentine to make it more fluid. This will help you shake it in the bottle and make it easier to use.
Dispense and Mix the Medium
If the Liquin is very thick, use a brush handle to push into it and displace some out of the bottle. Once you have some Liquin, add a small amount of turpentine and shake the bottle to mix it well.
Use Liquin to Lubricate the Brush
Dip your brush into the Liquin before adding paint. This lubrication helps the paint release from the brush and adhere to the canvas more effectively.
Pro tipAlways dip your brush into Liquin before adding paint to ensure smooth application on the canvas.
Embark on your painting journey with the Old Mill House by first preparing your materials. Use Liquin medium to ensure smooth paint application and sketch your composition lightly, focusing on the perspective and placement of your main subjects. As you lay down the initial lines, remember to keep them thin to avoid interference with subsequent layers.
As you progress, emphasize the focal points of your painting, such as the house and the truck, by reducing detail in the background. Carefully plan your composition, ensuring elements like the truck stand out through strategic use of light and shadow. Simplify your scene by avoiding central placement of major lines and maintaining a balance between light and dark areas.
Finish your painting by refining colors and adding details. Use high-quality paints for vibrant hues and consider the effects of reflected light to enhance realism. Prepare your canvas to avoid stark white areas, and use soft edges in the background to keep the focus on your main subjects. Learn from other artists and continuously refine your technique to grow as a painter.
Points to remember
Always dip your brush into Liquin before adding paint for smooth application.
Keep your initial sketch very thin to avoid it showing through final layers.
Emphasize main subjects by keeping background elements subdued.
Ensure overlapping shapes bring the truck forward in the composition.
Avoid placing major construction lines in the center to maintain balance.
Use soft edges for shadows in areas with less direct light.
Invest in high-quality cadmium colors for vibrant and strong hues.
Prepare your canvas by staining it to eliminate the white surface.
