The final painting
The final painting, by Bryce Cameron Liston

From the beginning drawing to the final figure painting, see how one artist creates a realistic work of art in eight steps.

by Bryce Cameron Liston
listonart.com

Step 1 of the Figure Painting Demo

I often start off with a drawing of the figure. To have a separate drawing is a little like having a safety net. I can refer back to it when I’m working on the figure painting. The drawing is not very fancy as I really only do it as a reference. It’s just done on a white type of newsprint so it doesn’t take the dark very well, which is okay because I was only after a linear drawing.

Figure drawing
Step 1: Drawing the figure

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Step 2

On a lightly toned linen I put down some thin washes of paint and develop the basic position and shape of the figure. I’m not concerned about edges or being exact, I’m just looking at the overall composition—this is a particularly enjoyable part of the painting, no stress.

Step 2: The block-in for the figure painting
Step 2: The block-in for the figure painting

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Step 3

I then begin to wash in the figure. I keep the values simple, just focusing on the light side and the dark side. For the flesh tones, I start with a mixture of white, cad yellow lt., and perylene red.

Step 3: Adding values to the figure painting
Step 3: Adding values to the figure painting

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Step 4

I just continue to refine the shapes and values, keeping the color thin and subdued.

Step 4: Adding shapes and values
Step 4: Adding shapes and values

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Step 5

In this stage, I focus on refining a few of the areas. I add a few simple folds to define the drapery and a little definition in the face. I end the session and let the painting dry.

Step 5: Refining the areas
Step 5: Refining the areas

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Step 6

Starting the next day I put the paint down thicker and with more of the local colors. I typically work on the entire painting to some degree trying to keep everything moving, but I spend most of my time working on the anatomy and the drapery. I build up the paint layer thick in the lights, particularly in the light side of the slip.

Step 6: Continuing to refine
Step 6: Continuing to refine the figure painting

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Step 7

You can see here I have spent most of my time with the face. I have also simplified and darkened some of the areas in the periphery to keep the focus toward the head.

Step 7: Focusing on the face
Step 7: Focusing on the face

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Step 8: The Final Figure Painting

I believe it was two days later before I returned to the painting. By then it was good and dry. My primary focus again is the face; I want the values and colors to be refined. After all, it is the subject matter. As someone who loves anatomy, it was hard for me not to go back into the feet and hands and refine them more. I really want the viewer’s attention to go to the face.

The final painting
The final painting

Related Article by the Artist:

Inspiration for Artists: Learning Curve


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