deCastro Studios Art Blog California Realism Artist, Bj. deCastro – Awards & News for Collectors.

“The Artist’s Eye” – oil on canvas

After the canvas is Gesso covered and dried. I begin by sketching right on the canvas with charcoal.

Next, I begin the underpainting process mixing the colors with Turpenoid to a 'watercolor' consistancy. The entire canvas is covered with this thin oily mix in base and complimentary colors. Some values are emphasized to keep balance between light and dark structure.

When I have enough paint on the canvas as to make the initial charcoal sketch difficult to see, then I put my brushes down and let the painting cure for the next step.