Go Paint Something!

Hello All:

As promised, I will show you projects, both big and small, I have completed for my consumer and business clients. Below, is a project I completed for Adams Investment Strategies. I wanted you to know and see how I actually did this so I took photos and created a timeline so you could track with me every step of the way. Also, I added comments above each photo to give you insight about what I was doing or thinking in that particular step or scene of the creation process.

Let’s get started…

Sketch – After going back and forth with the client, this is what we ended up with. They’re an investment counseling firm, and we thought that this would be quite tongue-in-cheek.

Raw Canvas – Gotta start somewhere. Once I figured out the dimensions, I knew what size canvas to use, so I stretched a piece of heavy-weight muslin on the wall of my studio. Just staple it to the drywall, and you’re ready to go. (Be sure and put plastic on the wall first.)

Primed – After I had it stapled properly, I had to prime it – used a great primer from Porter Paints.  AcriPro 100. Interior or exterior. Simply roll it on. Good stuff.

Scene 1 – I sketch out the basic outline of the project – the “side walls”. I know I’m going to be rolling on some paint, so the easiest thing is to tape off the edges. No need to use a full-width roll. I just use some ½” blue tape. Press it down tight before you paint.

Scene 2 – Mix a couple of colors in a tray and roll it on – at the same time, blending as you go.

Scene 3 – Now it’s time for a little perspective. After you determine your vanishing point, you can start to draw in the depth. Tape the edges on this as well, because you are going to be blending the paint again, and it’s difficult to do that with just a Guide Dog to keep your edges crisp. Of course, you also have to know where your light is coming from.

Scene 4 – Paint the background. Again, pour a couple of colors into a tray, and roll away. Tape it off first, to guarantee a crisp edge.

Scene 5 – Finding the center, I take a large compass and draw my circles. To paint nice, crisp edges, and to make sure that the circle is true, I attach my Buegler Striper to a compass, paint the inside and outside of the circle, and then just fill it in.

Scene 6 – I take a small compass and draw the center circle. Then I cheat: I take a picture of a dartboard and using my MC 2 projector, I project the dartboard image onto the canvas and mark the “pies-shaped” sections.  I use a snap line from the center to make sure the lines are even and straight, then, using ¼” blue tape, tape them off.

Scene 7 – Using my large compass, I draw the inner circle, then paint the pie shapes.

Scene  8 – Now it’s time to paint the board colors. I mix some Mixol tints with some base paint in a small cup, mix it up real good, and voila! We have red and green. 

Scene 9 – Now to paint the wire frame. Using the Buegler Striper, paint the lines for wire frame that you need. For the straight lines, us your Guide Dog, or at the very least, a Mahl Sick.

Scene 10 – Time to add a little shadow. Using a nice stiff brush, paint your shadows. I used a Mahl Stick on this, because I had to paint over colors that weren’t yet dry.

Scene 11 – Using the projector again, I sketch in the darts, using watercolor pencils, so I can erase the lines more easily. I paint in the base coats.

Scene 12 – Using the projector once more, I project the lettering (which I printed from the computer), trace it with the watercolor pencils, and then paint them in. Of course, I make sure it’s level first, and then I tape off the bottom.

Scene 13 – Using the photo as a reference, I paint in the details of the darts, remembering where my light source is.

Scene 14 – I use my compass again, and lightly draw guidelines for my lettering. This time the lettering is done all freehand. Sucks, I know. But sometimes you just gotta cowboy-up. Also, paint in the shadows on the darts. Again, remember the light source. Notice the Post- note. I used a real one for reference for the painted one.

Scene 15 – Finish the note. I actually wrote the note on a real Post-It note to see how it would fit, then used that one as a reference. Hey – ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

Scene 16 – Using the vanishing point again, I line up the lower portion, tape it off and paint it in. I also paint in the shadows for the depth, again noting my light source.

Scene 17 – Something was off. Visually the balance didn’t work. Ahh. Throw in a missed dart. Now it looks better.

Installed – Cut it down, paste it up, trim it out. And another one bites the dust. Notice how I allowed for the light switch. BTW, the client was thrilled. That’s what makes a project worthwhile. Oh, and a check.

You know what I am going to tell you now, right?

Yep…Now, Go Paint Something!

Michael Cooper

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