Painting Gandhi in 8 easy steps
Step 1. Using a 70cm by 77cm pre-primed and stretched canvas I begin with a good quality black PVA.
Step 2. Once the Black layer has dried, I sand it lightly to smooth out and irregularities before applying a second coat.
Step 3. Next I apply three thin coats of Vandyke Brown mixed with my oil medium. My Oil medium comprises of one third Liquin, one third refined Linseed oil and one third genuine turpentine. Allowing each coat to dry for at least a day before applying the next. The last coat is left to dry ‘hard’ for at least two days before I start drawing out the image. I use a sharpened white oil pastel to lightly draw out the image, which can easily be erased with a soft cloth and a little turpentine.
Step 4. Only once I am happy with my proportions and composition do I begin to paint the portrait using Titanium White and my oil medium. I always paint from left to right ensuring that I don’t touch the wet paint with my hands. Note that I have printed out my reference which makes it easier to paint from, rather than using a laptop or a heavy book that needs to be supported all the time.
Step 5. The first layer is done and I have a good idea of what it’s going to look like. Next I’ll allow the Titanium White to dry and then just wipe it down lightly with a soft cloth and turpentine to remove any visible guide lines done with the oil pastel.
Step 6. Next I do a second and third layer emphasizing the highlights.
Step 7. The painting is almost done. I’ll finish it off with a slight tint by applying a thin layer of oil medium mixed with a touch of Vandyke Brown just to break the sharpness of the Titanium White.
Step 8. Finally, I’ve varnished it with Winsor & Newton’s Artists Matt Varnish. This will give the painting an even, matt luster and also acts as a protective layer over the oil paint.
I have also built a frame and bent a Gandhi quotation out of steel wire, which now needs to be assembled. The frame is made from painted wood, wire mesh and steel wire. The Gandhi quotation says, “When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and life have always won. There have been tyrants, and for a time they seem invincible, in the end they always fall.“