My Grisaille Study...Pears & Using New Paints

I've been spending some time doing research on underpaintings.  I've read that beginners should learn to paint the indirect method or grisaille versus the direct method (alla prima).  I haven't been too happy with the results of my direct method painting.  I decided a new adventure was in order.  I do enjoy challenges.

I spent four hours today in painting bliss.  I turned on the radio and dialed into a local classical music station.  I got into my painting zone and had some fun.  Here's the result after four hours and eight paint brushes later:

Pear Study (WIP)

I am quite happy with the results.  At the last minute, I decided to try out my new Holbien Duo Aqua Oils. Out of the tube, the paint was buttery and consistent across the colors.  The Ultramarine blue had some excess oil as it came out of the tube.  No worries.

I started out using my normal W&N Artisan Yellow Ochre mixed with a bit of thinner to create a light wash.  I did a quick sketch on the canvas paper taped to a hard board:

Quick sketch with a yellow ochre wash

I painted in the values for the pears as well as setting up the background:  

Painting the gray values on the pears

I continued painting the values for the background:

Painted background values

I blended the values on the pears:  

Here's my palette of colors.  I used Ceramic White, Ultramarine Blue, and Burnt Umber.  I mixed the Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber to get a dark gray color.  Then I added white for the next two values.

I really enjoy using the artist quality Holbien Duo Aqua Oils.  Used straight out of the tubes, they mixed well.  Consistent creamy/buttery feel.  I noticed I was getting better coverage on my canvas paper with the Holbien versus the W&N Artisan paints I've been using.


Life is good!