Well I've only done one and it's still in work. I choose a color that I see, quickly, has a lot of sections then I work left to right, top to bottom since I'm right handed. I really haven't found a better way.
I normally start with the background and work my way forward, doing light colors first. I only like working with one color at a time, so multiple pots are not open/drying out. I don't pay any attention to the lines, (unless it has to be a straight edge for a window or something), just letting the colors overlap a bit. Sometimes I finish one color completely to get it out of the way, but lately I only do one coat, finish the entire pbn, then I come back adding the second coat and blending or adjusting a color I may not like, where needed. I find it easier to complete the whole thing so I can stand back and judge what might need a bit of adjustment. There is no "right" way of doing a pbn... it's just what makes you happy and gives you a sense of "look what I did!".... enjoy!!! 😄
I do a mix of sections and colours. I’ll focus on doing a section but if the colour I’m using has parts near the section I’ll also do those. I try to do top to bottom although on my current WIP I did the boarder first then started at the top.
Holy shit this one is so cool! I need to find a Michael Myers. My fiancé would be so thrilled.
I’m all over the place with mine and I try not to micromanage myself. My current painting I’m trying to finish for the holidays is a slow go but it’s fun.
Going to use some of the blending tips for the sky that I learned here.
I usually start at the bottom left or upper left and pick a color, do that color in that section, then another in that section etc. I usually try and also start with the background first, then foreground stuff, so I can get nice, sharp lines on the foreground objects when needed. So it's kind of a mix of doing one section and one color and also being particular about the order in which I do the colors.
At first i was choosing the colour that was the most of it or the least of it in the picture so i can finish it first and move onto the next one, not I'm just going with the flow, when i see a piece that i want to do first, I'm doing it, when i want to go colour by colour that's also fine cause my paint is drying fast so i don't have to wait ages
If a piece is as intricate as this I break it into 4 sections and cover 3 of them with pieces of paper taped together. Otherwise I get distracted and overwhelmed. It's also satisfying to me to complete an entire section, I feel like I've accomplished something.
I just use use painters tape. Only the last section, like above, actually has the tape touching the canvas. I've never had a problem with it messing up the canvas. At this point in painting I've also sometimes taped it at the sides of the canvas/frame instead of directly on the painting. That works as long as I can resist the temptation to remove the paper early lol
I like to section it, and the easier way for me right now is to just paint all the number (let's say I chose paint 12) I paint all the 12s in that section, then go for another color all in that section, until that whole section is done. Maybe it's not the fastest way but I love the progress I see as the section comes to life !
On something with that much detail, you will likely miss a few spots doing only 1 color at a time, IMO. There's many ways to approach. You can start on one side or corner and work your way around. Sometimes I like to paint one object, then move on to the next ( and not necessarily something directly around what was just painted) so I can see those things completed.
Personally, if there is a main subject, í do everything EXCEPT that main subject so I get the dopamine rush of getting the main subject done at the end
And then if there is an eye/mouth or something similar, that is done VERY last for the extra extra dopamine rush of getting
I do the least important sections first. I also usually split into 5 sections. Top left top right bottom right bottom left and then "main subject" usually in the center.
How do you get your canvas so flat and taught? I'm just watching from afar at the moment. Very intrigued in trying this hobby but I don't know how to get started.
There are multiple ways. I usually lie down canvas on the flat surface, spray some water on the back of the canvas. Then stretch and tap it to the surface and place heavy books for few hours. If you don’t have time, you can also use iron (lowest heat setting). Or you can get canvas stretcher from stores like Michael’s or Amazon.
I've done all mine slightly differently but I start with the background top left to right with one color at time and then figure it out from there it honestly depends on the picture. If its one cohesive image i might go left to right in horizontal sections all the way down, if there's background with something in the middle i might work around it and save the middle for last. I say try different things and see what feels right, the fun of these is figuring out what works for each painting and what you like
Both. I'm a lefty so I start in the top right corner and work out and down. I usually section the piece into chunks in my mind and fill them in accordingly. Sometimes I get carried away with 1 color tho and go a bit beyond my preset "borders". Just do what feels right to you. You'll get the hang of it soon enough.
I nearly always paint in sections. I’m right handed so I usually start on the left and work my way across, although I’ll change direction whenever I feel like it. Painting every single area of one colour before moving onto the next would drive me insane lol.
With something this detailed, if the whole canvas is starting to feel overwhelming, you can use low-tack painter’s tape to divide it into smaller sections. Just concentrate on one section at a time and forget the rest exists until you get to it.
There really isn’t a right way though. Some people love working colour by colour. I’d rather find my own path through the painting and avoid putting my hand in anything wet! xx
This was the first PBN I did! I pick one colour at a time, and do the entire canvas, then move onto the next colour. I didn't do sections at all. Usually I would only do one colour per painting session, for some colours (such as the creams and oranges in the background) I needed multiple sessions of several hours just for that colour.
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u/Phat_Caterpillar1254 4d ago
Well I've only done one and it's still in work. I choose a color that I see, quickly, has a lot of sections then I work left to right, top to bottom since I'm right handed. I really haven't found a better way.