Studio Tip: Drawing to Paint- an Essential First Step

Lilies and Limes Study, oil on gessoboard, 6 x 6

I have found that each time I do a preliminary sketch before I dive into the oil paints it gives me a framework or structure to go by. By working out the shapes and contours of an object with pencil or ink first frees me up to think about other aspects of oil painting.
Here's my process: 
1. pencil sketch (usually done in my sketchbook journal)
2. sharpie marker outlines with watercolor wash
3. small color study in oil, usually 6 x6
4. paint larger format, in this cases I painted a 12 x 12

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Step 2 watercolor and ink sketch

http://www.livepaintinglessons.com/
Painting Lessons from Richard Robinson:
titled: the painter's number 1 problem is...

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