94th BG B-17G oil study ...

[chicoartist]

Thanks David and Ed! Now I just have to duplicate the 'success' of this little study on the final 20 x 40 inch canvas!

Originally Posted by edwest

. . . One way to judge good color work is to turn it into black and white to check the tonal values and the overall composition.

Excellent point - I put a LOT of effort into the large pencil drawings before I pick up the first brush. Not just to make the drawing itself 'pretty', but while I'm working on the drawing I'm constantly comparing and contrasting the tonal structure in a mirror, working on the piece upside down, etc., all in anticipation of how everything will work when 'color' is added to the tones.

The goal, as you imply, is to be able to convert the final color painting into grayscale and have it be pretty darn close to the pencil drawing - or maybe even an improvement since I'm "that much more" familiar with the composition. That is done by working on the darks first, establishing the lowest values, then working my way up, carefully placing the highlights and final glazes at the very end.

Wade