Mud Bashin' Buggy

This detailed demonstration describes the artist’s comprehensive approach to building a vibrant image which positively throbs with colour and movement.

- Kim Donald

Finding a subject can sometimes be one of the hardest things. Fortunately, my subject was requested by a client – so I had a picture to work with. The image was of her husband driving in a racing mud buggy.

The overall painting was constructed from the client’s reference photograph, capturing the Mud Bashin’ Buggy as the main feature … although much of it has been built gradually by using my imagination as each of the layers and colours were added. There is not much detail in the background, because I felt that would detract from the focal point. My client was very happy with the result.

STEP ONE

Firstly, I used a wide bristle brush to get the basic outline of the overall painting and the colours. I worked from the background forward. Mostly, I used the flat side of the brush – blending the colours – although for small sections I used the edge of the brush to avoid blending and to create extra texture and dominant lines to add character and feel to the painting.

The sky was a blend of Cerulean Blue Hue, Prussian Blue Hue, Cobalt Turquoise Light Hue and Tinting White (Pearl/Titanium) with a medium retarder. Towards the top and edges, I used a Phthalo Blue (Red Shade). Sky is always slightly lighter closer to the horizon, so this was always in mind when adding these colours.