For years Vicki has wanted me to paint small paintings so I would have a variety of  sizes and prices for different people to be able to pick up.

As I am ME I always said… NO. Not really actually, I would try but it was always hard for me to reduce an image down just because. They like to be the size they are going to be. At least that’s what I always told myself.

 

Allen Williams_Initial Sketch

This little sketch isn’t much bigger than a magic card and as I show below the little bit of narrative translated well to the cropped image.

 

Allen Williams_Placement of Sketch

I used my laser cutter to cut a precise template that marks a thin border on the ap card back. Of course a pair of scissors would have worked to cut it to but I had an excuse to fire up the laser…which always makes me happy.

As it happens I am perfectly capable of painting quite small pieces because I jumped into sketching and painting on the backs of Magic Artist Proof cards. (For me, the ultimate in tiny paintings) This series takes us from sketching to color roughs to final painting.

Allen Williams_Sketch Transfer with dura lar film.

Sketch Transfer with dura lar film. I traced the sketch and flipped it over and used a colored pencil to transfer it to the card. Standard process like you’ve likely seen before.

Allen Williams_Transfered Sketch

Transferred sketch… it worked pretty well.

 

Allen Williams_Color Rough

So after I transferred the image I took my printed sketch (I print on Strathmore medium surface drawing paper) and I used some fairly light Copic markers to play with form and value.

Allen Williams_Color Rough

 

Allen Williams_Final Color Rough

 

Allen Williams_Inking Image on Card

I inked the image with a Signo gel pen that I also spray fixed afterward to keep the ink from sliding around.

Allen Williams_Magic Card Tape Down

I taped the card to a piece of safety glass I bought for this purpose… mainly so I don’t accidently make the image upside down in relation to the printed image on the front.

The piece below is done in a similar fashion but is a little further along at this point

 

Allen Williams_Painting Reference

 

Allen Williams_First Layer of Paint

The first layer of paint is acrylic gouache mostly white with a touch of yellow and burnt umber I believe.

Allen Williams_Color Mixing

I use these little color cups with lids to keep the paint from drying out as I work and color mixing.

Allen Williams_Working in Shadows

Working in Shadows with darker colors and letting it get a little messy.

Allen Williams_Work in Progress

Work in progress… a comparison with the other at a similar stage, though the top card is in oils at this point.

Allen Williams_Background Color

Background Color which is a very dark almost black warm color, aka brown.

Allen Williams_Final Shades and Tints

For the final shades and tints I layered some adjustments over the acrylic with some very thin oils.

Allen Williams_Magic Card Painting

 

Allen Williams_Magic Card Painting

I painted the little flower shedding its petals as the last bit.

Allen Williams_Final Magic Artist Proof Card Painting….

“In these days of memento mori do not forget to live”

Allen Williams_AP Magic Card Painting

 

Allen Williams_AP Magic Card Painting

 

Allen Williams_AP Magic Card Commission Painting