The picture represents step number two of a future painting I have planned.  I posted my steps that I use to finish a painting in my second blog, November 17th, entitled:   Seven Steps To A Finished Painting. If you haven’t read the blog you may want to read it.

This is a full size value scale drawing done in pencil.  It is 24″X36″ in size, and I have worked out the detail and value on several sheets of paper held together by backside tape.  The painting will be done on Masonite board, and I’m going to paint it using acrylics.

I found an old black and white photograph taken back in 1950 of my father putting gas in the family station wagon (we called it the “Old Woodie”).  When I saw it, I knew I had to paint it.  After making several thumbnail sketches, moving the scene around, trying to come up with a different arrangement that was more artistic, I finally settled on what I saw in the small photograph.

I transitioned the size to the larger paper using the grid method, which I know many artist don’t use today.  We’ll discuss the different methods being used in a future blog, but this one I wanted to be “from scratch”, so to speak.  I’m willing to go the extra effort.  This project is for me.  I have no intention of selling it.  If it works out, I’ll make room for it on my studio wall.  Now on to step number three.

Step number three could pose some problems.  I’m going to have to use my imagination when it comes to the hues I select.  I did go to the internet and found (to my surprise) pictures in color of the pumps from back in 1950.  Incidentally, gas was only twenty-one cents a gallon back then!  Can you believe it?

It may take a while, but when I get step number three finished (a smaller version of a water color composition), I’ll post it on a future blog.