Art Lessons with Lianne
Blocking In
'Blocking in' is the process of establishing the basic shapes and colors of a painting on the canvas. This step is important because it helps to establish the overall composition of the painting quickly and provides a framework for further work. I use the 'blocking in' method on most of my paintings. You can watch my video tutorial below.
How to block in
Here are some tips for blocking in a painting:
1. Start with a sketch: Before you start painting, it is a good idea to sketch out your composition on a toned canvas. This will help you to plan out the layout and proportions of your painting. See my tutorials on toning your canvas and drawing your design.
2. Use a big brush: When blocking in, it's best to use a large brush that can cover a lot of area quickly. This will help you to establish the basic shapes and colors of your painting more efficiently. You can either block in with colour or you can block in monochromatically (see my example below). Using colour during the blocking in stage helps to establish the overall tone, mood, and composition of the painting, it can also help you to see how the colours will interact with each other and make any necessary adjustments before moving on to the more detailed stages of the painting process. However, sometimes I prefer to start with a more traditional monochromatic underpainting to establish the values and then add color in subsequent layers. Ultimately, the choice between using colour or starting with a monochromatic underpainting depends on the your personal preference and the specific goals for your painting. I personally use both methods. I tend to prefer monochromatic blocking in when I'm working on a painting where values are extremely important.
3. Keep it loose: Don't worry about getting every detail perfect at this stage. The goal is to establish the basic shapes, values and colours, so keep your brushwork loose and expressive.
4. Work from general to specific: Start by blocking in the general shapes and colours of your painting, then gradually work towards adding more detail and refining the composition.
5. Step back and assess: As you work, step back from your painting frequently to assess your progress. This will help you to see what areas need more work and what areas are working well.
Monochrome blocking in
Finished painting