how an artist paints - a step by step guide to making a painting
Discover how artist Alan Brain approaches the creative process — from the first idea to the finished piece. This step-by-step guide shows how each painting begins with inspiration and comes to life with colour shapes and texture - and always with
a painting starts with an idea
Painting for me begins with an idea and that can come from anywhere. Often it is an idea that occurred to me while I was painting the last one. A theme grows at least while the ideas keep flowing. When they stop flowing I find a new idea and so it begins again.
next find that certain feeling
Underlying the idea is always the key point of what feeling do I want to express. A painting without a feeling is just wall candy, soulless and soon forgotten. I want to make paintings that draw and connect with folk. However getting feeling into paintings is what I teach, this post is about "How I paint" not what and why I paint, so back on track...
The Artists Tools pencil, paper, eraser and imagination!
The idea I have is developed with the aid of highly advanced technologies namely a pencil, eraser, and a piece of paper. The eraser is the most used tool. I play with shapes and line until I get what I want. Then I imagine it with colours, texture, lights, and darks and weave those around in my mind. I will weave until I have transferred the shapes I want to the paper. That transference bit is tricky. I make sure I am using the right size and proportions with the paper and endeavour to copy my outline drawing faithfully. I rarely manage the latter, I always change it a bit sometimes a lot, it can be an unforgiving trap right from the outset but what the heck - it is only paper and paint - Go for it! make that painting - every painting is an experiment -that is my key mantra when I am making a painting.
Okay, I make the outline on the paper, it looks good. I redo my weaving and decide to put texture into the big outside shape. That's a bold step and a commitment adding texturing material is irreversible.
This is what it looks like so far ...
The early stages - notice the tape to protect and give sharp lines.
what colours to use in the painting?
I am well underway and next big decision is - what colours to use? Decide which is the most important one (not the biggest area) in this case the colour of the room. I want it to be a bit disturbing. Green is my choice so out with the paints, mix the shade of green I want and get it on the paper. Oh boy now there really is no turning back!
It is quite easy to apply the paint - just mix it first and then be a bit careful around the figure.
add some more colour and detail
This step was very enjoyable -now some detail, smaller brush, enjoy and feel it on to the paper - the artist becomes a part of the painting they are making - an amazing feeling.
protect to continue freely
I must protect what I have done so far hence the tape to cover that part. Now I can attend to the door shape next. Colour? blue I reckon, another big decision just made! Let's see.. 
that big shape next
Have I been putting off tackling that big shape? I think yes I should have declared myself early on in the painting steps but when making a painting rules should be broken not followed without question. I have the texture in place - what colour? It has to be orange to set off the green room, but a dirty orange - here goes...
now it is beginning to look like a painting. Do i like it? yes not bad.
Quite pleasing so far and now I can adjust the colour balances. Lots of stepping back in this stage, good exercise!
take a break
The painting may be looking okay but I have been staring at it for hours so - take a break - walk the dog, Come back after a break before doing any more.
The most important question of them all - does it feel right?
Not quite but I cannot figure out why. So leave it alone it is as good as i will ever get it right now.It is tempting to tiddle about with it - not a good idea. Do I like it? Yes, it almost got what I want but not quite, maybe is it a little too friendly.
the final step
After about six weeks I take another look and I am still not happy with this painting. That guy in the room is much too smart and it is too tidy in there; I want to create the feeling of "aversion, caution, revulsion even" So I changed it, and here is the result...
Good Enough!
The perfect is the thief of the good. You can only spoil the painting now so just sign it!
Questions about How to Make a Painting
I am asked to explain my painting steps and give some more information - here are my best answers
What paint do you use?
Watercolour. Tubes are best. Use a lot of paint and less water to get rich colour. In this painting I used a light yellow and ultramarine blue to get my green. the rest are reds of various shades, oranges and some yellow ochre put on in layers mostly. Oh and Indian yellow - can't do without Indian yellow.
What paper do you use?
Arches 140 lb or heavier, cold pressed. You need robust paper if you want to get those rich colours to fix. Why Arches? No particular reason, it works well for me so no reason to change.
And brushes?
Allsorts including oil and acrylic brushes. My favourite is an inch flat but a thick one. The hardware store is a good supplier of those. My advice - find the brushes that suit you from ANY source
Anything else?
Yes, I use anything to get what I want and i am always looking for new ways. Wall scrapers, wire wool, wall filler, are all in my paint box. it is so much fun trying out new stuff.
this is a post for anyone who want to learn about how an artist paints.
See the series of Mysterious Abstract Figure Paintings
The painting here for the Making a Painting post is now one of a series - take a look-
How to paint a minimal painting.
I do not think there is one way for all to follow, each of us should find their own way (I can help with my personal art tuition) but my post making a minimal painting shows my approach to minimalism.