PAINTING A FULL FIGURE

THE SET-UP

When we are setting up a painting, there are many elements to think about before we even apply the paint to the palette, let alone the canvas. First, consider the light source. I am lucky enough to have a north-lit studio so I can enjoy a single constant light source throughout the day. If you don’t have natural light, you could also use a strong desk lamp. The most important thing is to start with just one light source. It makes it much easier to compose a drawing and explain an image with a single light source, as we construct the drawing through shapes