How do I paint a painting? Well, the answer is, it depends. It depends on the size of the surface, the surface of the surface, and the tools used to apply paint. If I am using a smooth gesso board, I like to use a color to tone the surface and use a palette knife to apply the paint. If I am using a larger canvas, again, I will tone the surface and then use brushes to apply the paint (although I have been known to use both brushes and knives). I am mostly self-taught, so there has been a lot of trial and error.

I like to tone the surface with a color - you don't have to stare at the blinding white of the canvas or board. If I'm feeling conservative I will use a neutral like yellow ochre, but I also really like to use a bright orange or alizarin crimson. Using that undertone and almost completely covering it up but having a little bit to peep out makes the painting more exciting to me.

I like to sketch at least the main subjects to get the proportions and angles right, then I just begin to paint. Soon the painting enters what artists call "the messy middle". That's when you think the painting is completely botched up and that you should just throw it away and start over. But don't do it! You must keep going and eventually, most of the time, something beautiful and amazing comes through. 

The image here is the beginning of a work in progress. I am now actually in the messy middle but you're not going to get to see that! Let's hope I can keep going and make it work. Let me know if you have any process questions and I will try to answer them.