Joker Acrylic Painting, WIP!

**Jacosta** · August 27th, 2008, 02:15 AM

I'm working on a Joker painting, so I decided to try to document each step of my process. I am hoping someone can learn from my process, and maybe even others can give me some tips for future paintings. I have a detailed description of each photo on my blog http://www.jesseacosta.net/blog if you're interested in reading up!

**Bob Todd** · August 27th, 2008, 04:34 AM

I don't know anything about painting with acrylics, so get ready for some n00b questions. How did you avoid going over the lines of your figure? Was it just by being very careful, or do you lay down some sort of masking material and then peel/rub it off?
What are you painting on, canvas? Bristol board?

**Jacosta** · August 27th, 2008, 12:00 PM

You should hop over to my blog (linked above), I describe each step so far. But yes, I do use a masking material called frisket. Its generally an airbrush artist's tool, which is how I started using it. Its a giant clear sticker you lay on your painting, then use an exacto knife to carefully cut your shapes out. Then paint, then peel it up when done and it protects the covered area.
I generally don't use frisket, but since I wanted a sort of glowing gradient around the Joker, I decided to use this approach.

Also, I paint on masonite (aka mdf board or hardboard) from the hardware store. I can get it for $8.00 for an 8' x 4' sheet, then I cut it down to several boards. Its way cheaper than canvas. Once I get it home, I sand the front and gesso it to prep it for painting.

**Jacosta** · August 29th, 2008, 03:37 AM

**Quigleyer** · August 29th, 2008, 12:37 PM

develop the whole image at once to get a better sense of how you're actually going to use your values for appropriate compositional layout.

**Jacosta** · August 29th, 2008, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Quigleyer

develop the whole image at once to get a better sense of how you're actually going to use your values for appropriate compositional layout.

Can you explain in more detail for me?

**Hexokinase** · August 29th, 2008, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jacosta

Can you explain in more detail for me?

Basically, establish all of your base colors before jumping into the detailing process. This way, you can see if your values are working before you commit too much energy into the piece. Keep in mind that areas with a lot of value contrast will become a focus. Make sure you lead that viewers eyes where you want them to go.