Post #301953 by Big Hodad-dy Reid on Thu, Apr 26, 2007 6:23 AM

Thanks Tiki Shark! That helps a lot. I probably should have phrased the question more like, "What is YOUR thinking on underpainting" instead of making it like you should or could answer for all artists everywhere. But you did much more in explaining that I had hoped. I have really enjoyed seeing the progression of your paintings from sketch to finish and that's what sparked the question.

Not to hi-jack this thread, so I'll try to keep it brief, but I just wanted to add a couple of thoughts:

Todd Schorr- Great! I worked with a guy who went to art school with him. He told me that he and several other classmates worked hard to best Todd's last project only to show up to class and have Todd best them all again!

Layering transparent paints- I'm more familiar with this in airbrushing automotive paints, specifically candy colors. The more layers on top of light or, even better, metallics gives a depth and richness that is best described as "delicious". Candy is a good adjective for those paints!

Robert Williams- Have you ever seen his underpainting? He's done it a couple of different ways but basically dots the entire canvas in red, green, yellow, and maybe blue (can't quite remember). After seeing that and looking at his finished pieces you'll be amazed at how much he lets that remain. I can't quite explain it, but it's in one of his books (mine are all in storage right now so I can't tell you which one, a more recent one for sure).

Greg Hildebrandt- I think I saw you mention him earlier. I'm not too familiar with him, but his brother Tim had about 20 of his paintings in a gallery under my apartment at the time. That was about 11 or 12 years ago, but they were absolutely amazing. Whether or not you like sci-fi/fantasy art his techniques, especially how he rendered light, were remarkable. I'd stop in almost every day just to stare for a while.

Anywhatsis, thanks again and looking forward to more progress pics! Thanks a lot for sharing those as well.