Oil Painting lesson with Gregory Smith - Day4

I started a new subject today.

Earlier in the day, I went to NMIT nursery in Yarra Bend Park with Kate and bought Poinsettia.

I wan't so sure how I should arrange the subjects, "maybe putting some other stuff as well."  

So, I needed Greg's suggestion.

The biggest surprise was, he not only put together 'other stuff' (metal pot, bamboo jar and porcelain figurine), he put these on the floor, so that they give me a different perspective.

You see, he's got a great sense of composition.

As usual, I covered the panel with Raw Umber and rubbed it off with a rag. I was very cautious not to draw with it. I thought I did ok today.

As soon as I finished basic shapes, he asked me to put some colours immediately, and then started to check proportions of the subjects. The point is, to get overall shape first, and then check its balance, not the other way around.

I'm reasonably happy with this one so far. As a first session, I think I managed to put down a lot of colours, compare to before. We can do this because we don't draw first. That is the secret of Greg's way of painting. I love it and it makes sense.

I'm looking forward to the next session.

Work in progress.

Oil on panel. 16 x 20 in.