How Many Steps Does It Take To Create A Painting?

The painting process varies with each painting.

Update 2024: More than a decade later and I still have yet to sign it into completion.

"Emalee" Oil Portrait Complete

After six long months...I finally called it quits on this painting. I had so many issues with this painting that I must say I am relieved to move on to my next project. When learning how to's....on a painting that means so much can cause much unwanted stress. This portrait was not a commissioned piece but one I am planning on giving my daughter for a graduation gift. My goal was realism but as you can see it is far from that. I need to get real and realize, realism is not my thing.

Glazing

After a couple weeks, I put this back on my easel to try and create a more realistic piece. I used several glazing applications. I am afraid I have much to learn with this technique.

I believe it helped and I will continue putting several more glazes on hoping it will accomplish what I want!

Will I ever finish...

Another layer added and many more after that. I was not liking the color of my darkest shadow. So I painted over again and again. I also darkened the eyes then lightened them again.

The green background was not doing it for me. I decided to painted over it.

After much frustration, I finally had to put this project to rest in order to come back later with fresh eyes.

Portrait Painting Progress

I have added a few more layers since my last post. I had to darken some of the shadows and darkened the eyes. The eyes and the mouth have been two of my biggest challenges. With each new layer added I feel it is beginning to take shape. There are several more layers I want to add before it becomes complete. I will post more as I progress.

The Layering Continues

Each and every layer creates more depth but it is also creating a change in my subjects face. Not so sure I am liking the transformation.

As the last layer dried it looked a little chalky. I went in and added more warmth and deepened my shadows with a cooler tone.

There is much I have to learn before my painting can be considered "realism"... practice, practice, practice!

I will continue posting my transitions as I complete them.

Hair

Creating the Hair and Highlights

I began by mixing burnt sienna, yellow ochre, and ultramarine blue to build the base tones of the hair. From there, I layered in the highlights, letting lighter strokes sit softly over the darker foundation.

Hair takes practice—and then more practice—because its believability comes from multiple layers, even in a piece that isn’t fully realistic. This painting isn’t meant to look photographic, but I still wanted the hair to lean toward realism. To push it in that direction, I etched fine strands around the hairline, adding just enough detail to suggest texture and movement while keeping the overall style painterly.

Color block sections 

Add lights for dimension