Ron’s Artist Tips:
Starting with a blank canvas can be tricky. Some artists jump straight in by painting the horizon, others focus on the sky or foreground. But for me, it’s a bit more involved. I always ask myself these key questions before starting:
What should I avoid placing in the centre of the composition?
What details do I want to make sure stay within the edges?
What was it about this subject that inspired me, and where should that element be placed?
I’ve often seen beautifully painted works where a key feature is squashed near the bottom edge, while there’s too much empty sky at the top! Avoid this by identifying your main point of interest and building your composition around that.
Here’s a handy tip:
Give your canvas a light coat of linseed oil using a rag before you start sketching. Then, use a pastel colour that fits the atmosphere of your piece and lightly draw in your elements with a fine round brush. If you need to correct anything, it’s easy to wipe off, thanks to the linseed oil.
Don’t bother with pencil or charcoal—these can show through your paint and need to be fully “fixed,” which just complicates things. Keep it simple and let the process flow naturally.
Happy painting!
Ron Gribble
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