Clayton J. Beck III - Head Study, Values and Edges

[Chris Saper]

This is a demonstration that I painted at the Palette And Chisel Club under a north sky light. Painting time was approximately 2 1/2 hours. The materials used are oil paint on a double primed canvas which is taped with black tape to a board. The size is life-size, approximately 20 inches by 16 inches.
The demonstration was for the purpose of showing limited values expressed through strong brushwork. Most of the work on the canvas was done with number ten filbert brushes or larger. The secondary consideration was the expression of the temperature of the light source.


Step one:

I squinted down at my subject and very quickly realized that it was an island of light surrounded by a sea of dark. This first step was to bring the tone of the canvas down so that I could very quickly capture what I first understood at the squint.