1. I begin each painting with a photograph, 8" X 12" or larger. 2. After cropping the photo, I draw a grid on the surface, usually in 1 cm squares. Diagonal lines dissect the squares, maximizing the grid's effectiveness. 3. I enlarge the grid in graphite on a sheet of Wallis Sanded Paper. I use the gray (Belgium Mist) color because I like to start off with a medium toned surface. 4. With the grid as my guide, I make a graphite line drawing of the photographic image. In some cases I straighten out any keystoning that has occurred from tilting my camera to take the photo. I also, use this opportunity to delete any extraneous elements. This drawing process can take over thirty hours. 5. Once I have my line drawing, I'm ready to fill in the color. I use several varieties of pastel sticks and pencils when painting. The fine lines and details are accomplished with Creta Color Pastel and Schwan Stabilo Pastel Pencils. For large areas of color I use Nouvel Carré, Nupastel, Unison, Sennelier, Scmincke, and Windsor Newton. 6. I mix colors on the paper and blend them with my fingers. When the area is small or I want to smooth lines, I use a rubber tipped Colour Shaper. 7. I carefully render the textures and colors I see in the photo, working ever so slowly from the top of the paper to the bottom. In my wake, I leave a fully realized painting. Once I complete the final square. I go over the piece making any minor adjustments to color value.         home     gallery     what's new     about me     prints process     links     contact   © alicia st. rose, all rights reserved, 2005