Update - Ogden LDS Temple Painting Process

Happily, my client was pleased with the rough colored pencil sketch posted in my last blog entry.  The next step was to coat the canvas with an undertone similar in hue to the Canson Mi-Teintes paper the sketch was on.  The canvas was coated with gesso tinted with burnt sienna and yellow ochre acrylic paint.

I then printed the outlined sketch on three 11" x 17" sheets, taped them together and attached them to the canvas.  Even though I did drawing corrections on the computer, by the time the image was blown up and taped together, there were distortions that needed additional revision with the large T square.  Next step was tracing the temple down with graphite paper and sealing each fine line with clear gesso, so I don't lose the drawing.  I normally do not need to be this accurate, but in painting a building this ornate on such a large canvas, (36" x 24") there is little margin for error.

Below is the beginning of blocking in with a light coating of acrylics. 

Although this is a meticulous process, I am finding it enjoyable.  Each painting is a challenge and a puzzle to be solved. I am happy I did solve many questions in my colored pencil sketch.  However, often along the way, in the process of applying paint, the painting sometimes can surprise me and tell me what it really needs.  ;)

Thank you for stopping by.

Patricia

Ogden LDS Temple Composition Sketch Completed

The completed sketch is ready for client approval -  He requested embellished trees, an autumn color palette and purple pansies - which are blooming profusely around the grounds right now!

Next step is to transfer the layout to the canvas, upon the client approval.

Hope you are having a wonderful week - It is sunny and bright here today in Utah!

My Work Process for Commissioned Painting

I shall share some pics here from a big project I have been working on. It is a commissioned painting of the Ogden Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The painting is to be 36" x 24" oil painting on canvas. The client has given permission to post progress/process updates on social media. He wanted more representation of trees and flowers, especially purple pansies, than are found in photos available of the temple. He also requested a Autumn color palette.

I must confess it is taking more work than I realized with the amazing detail of this structure! It gives me a heap of respect for the architectural design! Designing the fairly recent (as in a few years ago) remodeling of this temple would have taken incredible skill!

The first step is a sketch in proportion to the canvas - which was a challenge to simplify while keeping the integrity of the temple design. It was then scanned and corrected in Photo Shop -

You cannot 'sort of' draw this type of building, it must be accurate. I then printed the drawing on two sheets of Canson Mi-Teintes Art paper. I am in process of adding values and color. Trees and flowers will be added to the foreground.

My studio drafting table - covered with fun fabric and clear vinyl for protection...

Colored pencil coloring in progress...The placement of foreground flowers & trees

is going to take some 'artistic license' to add.

When the colored drawing is complete, and after the client's approval the drawing will be transferred to the 36" x 24" canvas.

I will keep posting the progress - It is definitely going to take longer than anticipated.  The challenge will be to transfer all the lines of the temple onto canvas accurately -  However, the end desire is to have a artistic painterly painting with feeling, not an architectural rendering.

Thanks for stopping by - I welcome any comments.
Hope you have a great weekend!
Patricia