From Spark to Canvas: 5 Essential Steps for a Successful Painting
Ever looked at another artist’s work and wondered, ‘How do they make it look so effortless?’ While spontaneous masterpieces do happen, most great paintings are built on practiced habits and thoughtful preparation. The longer you paint, the more you realize that the steps you take before touching the canvas are just as vital as the ones you take while you're painting. Here are 5 steps I never skip to ensure a successful painting.
An idea
Canvas prep
Value sketch
Canvas Prep
Underpainting
The Idea
Every painting needs some sort of inspiration. Whether it’s a beautiful sunset you witnessed last weekend, or the bird you saw perched on the feeder outside your window, there needs to be some sort of idea that's been sparked. For me, inspiration usually comes from nature, mostly landscapes. I carry my phone with me to snap a picture anytime I see something that sparks my interest. I have an incredible amount of photos I've taken over the years sitting in a file on my computer. Anytime I’m struggling with what to paint next, I can open that folder and there are plenty of ideas waiting for me.
Canvas Prep
After settling on an idea, it’s time to think about the orientation, composition and size of the painting. Both orientation and composition are critical for the visual impact of your piece. Without them, the painting may lack a key point of interest, which is what draws a viewer’s eye in. Here is a list of compositions that will help elevate your next piece:
Steelyard - Balances two unequal masses with a focal point near the heavier one.
Balance Scale - Symmetrical layout, often with a central peak or subject.
Circle (O) - Elements arranged in a circular flow, guiding the eye around the canvas.
S-Curve - Creates graceful movement and flow, often used in landscapes or figures.
L-Shape - Strong vertical and horizontal elements forming an L, great for stability.
Diagonal - Dynamic tension created by slanted lines or subject placement.
Triangle - Classic and stable; often used in religious or portrait compositions.
Radiating Lines - Lines or elements lead the eye outward or inward from a central point.
Cruciform (Cross) - Cross-shaped layout, often used in spiritual or symbolic works.
Golden Spiral - Based on the Fibonacci sequence; creates a natural, pleasing flow.
Grid/Patterned - Repeating shapes or structures, often used in abstract or modern art.
Frame Within Frame - Uses architectural or natural elements to frame the subject.
Asymmetrical - Uneven balance that creates tension and interest.
Vertical Format - Tall compositions emphasizing height or upward movement.
Horizontal Format - Wide compositions emphasizing breadth or calmness.
Value Sketch
Next up is a value sketch. When I first started painting, I always skipped this step. Later, I realized how big of a mistake this was. Doing a quick 2-5 min value sketch can help you visualize where your darks and your lights are. They can also help you realize in the earlier steps of your process that deeper values may need to be added in order to have an interesting piece. If all the colors in your painting are of similar value, there’s going to be little visual interest. There are a few ways to approach your value sketch. Some people will change their reference picture to a monotone. I typically just squint my eyes while looking at my reference. If this sounds odd, try it for yourself! It works! Squinting your eyes blurs out the details and reveals the value structure—especially useful when painting plein air. Please keep in mind that this is not meant to be a detailed sketch. It's meant to be quick, and even a little messy. Below are a few value sketches I’ve done.
Sketch on Canvas
Once the value sketch is completed, you're ready to prep your canvas. There are many different ways to prep a canvas, and it really just depends on what type of result you're wanting. Personally, I prefer a smooth, less textured canvas to paint on. I prep my canvas with several layers of gesso, lightly sanding the layers as I go. This makes for a smooth canvas for my brushes to glide across.
After my canvas has dried, and it’s been sanded for the last time, it's time to sketch. How detailed I am with the sketch really depends on how much detail I need in the finished painting. For a lot of my paintings, I just do a fairly simple sketch. I do not add values to this sketch. That's what the underpainting is for! To help keep the sketch in place while I do the underpainting, I spray a couple of layers of fixative on it.
Underpainting
The last step I take before putting color on the canvas is painting a detailed underpainting. Think of this like your value sketch, but with more detail. I currently use acrylic paints to do my underpaintings, however, I am considering switching to oils in the near future for this step. The colors I use are burnt sienna and van dyke brown. Using a small amount of water, and paint mixed in, I do an initial layer all over the canvas. Then I get a paper towel and blot out all of my lightest values. You can also do this using paint brushes. If you use acrylics, you will need to move fast. They dry quickly, which can complicate things. After that layer dries, I go in and make my values more distinct. Using the van dyke brown, I put in the darkest values. When you do an underpainting, it makes the rest of the painting so much easier. With your values locked in, adding color becomes intuitive and far less overwhelming.
If this helped you, share your own process or tag me in your next painting—I’d love to see it!
