For the Simplify Step, squint your eyes, look for big shapes, and be sure your positioning is correct. Do not worry about details at this phase. Just large shapes of color.

The Shape Step is going through each shape and establishing smaller shapes to define form through value relationships. Here you add those darkest dark values. You paint the top planes of the tomato in a lighter value color, building to the highlight. You look for a darkest dark, a mid value, and a lightest light for each main part of the onion. You keep your brushstrokes in the direction of the onion skin. You establish shadow values to add depth to the avocado.

Sharpen can go on forever. You decide how far you want to refine each element. Here I added the shadow and highlight values on the seed as well, and blended those edges. I also added very think paint left raised on the canvas to represent the soft flesh of the avocado ripped from splitting it open and stuck to the seed.

A final oilout layer 3 parts Galkyd Lite 1 part Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits applied thinly with a 1 inch flat brush. This brings all of the values back with a unifying glossy sheen that also adds a protective layer between the oil paint and the varnish protective coat.

Did some #oilpainting today. First, the three images show the #paintcoach method which is to paint in three main stages. Simplify. Shape. Sharpen. The final image is my final #oilout step on this completed painting.

GUACAMOLE
5x7 oil on linen panel

DESERT FRAGILITY
9x12 oil on canvas panel