There are many ways to get your image on paper: you can draw on the spot, work freehand from a photograph, square the photograph off and enlarge it to suit your needs, project an image of the photograph and trace that on your paper, or use modern computer/printer technology to do the trick. This is a demonstration of the latter. We start with a composite photograph taken in pre-digital days for a painting called "Shrimp Boats". (See Featured painting for April, 2007)
My first step was to scan this into my iMacG5 computer and convert it to B&W. Then I enlarged this to 14" X 21" and make it into a poster format by dividing the image into four parts in order to print it out on 8 1/2" X 11" . Some printers have a "poster" mode which will do this for you, but mine is not that smart and I have to do it manually.
Next I assemble the four pieces and make them as one with Scotch tape on the back.
Now I'm ready to transfer the image to my watercolour paper with graphite transfer paper. I use a B&W print out to save wasting colour catridges, and I use the B&W as a reference for my tonal values.
I usually work with a mat similar to the final one just to show me how the finished image will look. I also use this frequently during the WIP (Work In Progress) to sort of keep my spirits up, and remind myself why I started this project. Here is the mat placed on the B&W assembled print-out.
I like detail so I tend to spend many hours before I begin painting. Much of the rigging detail doesn't show up here, but the basis of the painting is in place. Here is the final set-up ready for re-drawing before starting to paint. I have the B&W close by for tonal reference, and a magnifying glass to make up for the fact I can't walk over and examine distance objects.
The one that got away!
