Having just completed a portrait for Sara and Rodrigo, Baron and Baroness of Stormhold for their investiture I thought I would write up the documentation of the process. I used a very traditional flemish technique for this one based directly upon my studies.
Priming
First, I primed the board with glue and two coats of Gesso going in alternate directions to smooth the woodgrain.
Cartoon
Then, I sketched the design on the primed surface to give me a working drawing. In period this was done with a transfer by rubbing the back of the original sketch (or cartoon) with charcoal or by pricking holes in the cartoon and pouncing it using a pounce bag filled with charcoal dust. The cartoon, in period, was highly detailed and used as a reference for the entire piece. Not having much time, I drew directly on the board and referred to a photograph. These days no-one has time to sit for a portrait artist, especially when they are working in a technique like flemish technique so photographs are a huge blessing. yes I know they aren’t period but neither is my sewing machine.
Stay Tuned for Parte the Second – Tonal layers
