PROCESS
1. Today we build up the painting from the day before, now that my 3 layers of verdaccio middle tone has dried off I have to make 3 basic verdaccio and apply it to the painting over and over again on a thin layer, until we build up something substaintial.
2. We now mix the pigments into 3 tones, by varying the amount of white we add to each to create light, middle and dark tones.
3. Then we add 1 part egg tempera to each tone and some water to dilute each, before applying them very thinly ( dab your brush on some tissues) to create first the dark, then middle then light tones, creating at least 5, 6 fine layers before moving onto the next tone, and start over again to create depth.
4. Note that when creating the tones as you go along they can vary slightly as more varying depth in tone is required. I have attached a number of photos showing the progress in the depth through the day.
5. It is very nice to use a small number sable brush to paint the face and details and draw in the details rather than putting brush strikes as you really build up the details.
OTHER TIPS
- the formula to create a basic middle tone is
10% lead white
80% yellow orche
5 % each of black and burnt sienna
vary the light and dark by adding more white and less white and the ratio of the other three will stay the same.
- always use sable brush ( and make sure no hair will come off too easily)
- if paint stay lifting off then mix 2 part egg and vinegar with 1 part white and brush over to seal the parts
- use the same above if leaving the painting overnight to seal and protect it, or after a number of layers to seal the work
- before packing up add a drop of water to the egg and vinegar pigments to keep them from drying out to be used the next day, if it dries out then it is no good anymore.
