This commission was the first time I had taken on the challenge of painting a long haired German Shepherd. To all the artists out there, you will appreciate how difficult it can be portraying the variety of tone and texture when painting hair.
A tip I thought would be useful to share with all my followers is colour mixing and the presentation of a pallet. If you have dabbled in the world of painting, I am sure you will be aware how easy it is for pallets to get messy and the once intended masterpiece of order becomes a muddy hue from a range of complementary colours mixing together.
Once I have sketched out my piece I focus my attention to the hues within the picture. For example, with the commission above I arranged my pallet with the following Arteza gouache hues: Titanium White, Yellow Pale, Yellow Ochre, Gamboge, Orange Yellow, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Cobalt Blue, Burnt Umber and Noir. I would leave spaces either side of the hues in order to lighten or deepen them. If I was lightening them I would add the Titanium White and to deepen I would add Raw Umber or Cobalt Blue. I NEVER add Noir to deepen a colour. Noir is a dead colour and therefore can kill a colour as opposed to embrace it!
Hope these regular tips that I will keep posting on my website and Instagram page will help all you upcoming artists!!!
