Oil Painting - Making Mom's Biscuits

Rebecca Glasgow is a painter, and artist at Crystal Moon Gallery.  In an effort to help people to understand art, we had asked her to provide us with a synopsis of her creative process.  We were wowed with what she provided.  If you have any interest in how hand-painted art is created, you should enjoy the following narrative. See her work at crystalmoongallery.com
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After painting a kitchen still life entitled, “Making Mom’s Brownies,” I decided to paint a series of “Making Mom’s ____ “  since I enjoy painting and cooking and have happy memories of my mom and me in the kitchen together when I was a kid.
 This painting, “Making Mom’s Biscuits,” will be the second in the series.  The next one will be “Making Mom’s Apple Pie.”

My mom was a great cook and a wonderful person.

PHOTO Dates and Notes:

1.   1-22-10  After numerous arrangements, this is the setup I selected for “Making Mom’s Biscuits” which was set up on my dining room table in front of a large window.  I did add extra light to emphasize the cast shadows for the painting.  All the other work will take place in my studio.

2.  1-28-10   Here is my drawing of for the painting on newsprint.  I rarely use a grid for drawing, but decided it would speed up the process and help ensure I had all of the items in the correct alignment.  However, even when using a grid, adjustments must be made. 

3. 4.  5.  2-2-10   I then transferred the drawing to a wood panel that I had prepared by putting several coats of gesso on it and sanding between the coats.

Here are several photos showing progress of the underpainting.  The drawing is very pale.  I like doing an underpainting in an acrylic monotone in order to get the values down correctly.

6.   2-16-10   I did not have a photo of Mom cooking and holding the “big blue bowl.”   I had a friend of mine pose for the photo; but used mom’s face of course. (photo missing)

7.   3-5-10  YEAH!!!   I have finished the underpainting!   Now the most fun starts – applying paint!

 
8.   3-11-10  I have applied the first thin coats of glaze (thinned down oil paint).   

9.    3-11-10  I have toned down the yellow background moving it towards a calm shade of burnt sienna, added highlights to the sifter and intensified the colors on the flour sack and rolling pin, etc.  Also worked on the bowl inside and outside shaping it with shadows and highlights.

At every painting session, whether underpainting or afterwards I make technical adjustments as needed, i.e., ovals are ovals, angles are correct, shadows are dark enough, highlights are light enough, etc.

10.  3-28-10  I have made additional adjustments including, intensifying highlights and darks inside the bowl and on the baking powder can, adjusted the color of the rolling pin. I have not painted the words “Baking Powder” yet- I don’t like painting words (especially since my handwriting and printing aren’t great). 

11.  4-2-10  I have added color to the table as well as made other modifications.

12.  4-29-10   With additional highlights, adjusting the background color, and finally painting the “Baking Powder” words, I have finished the Painting!  Yeah, I have finished it and framed it after 138 hours!!