Bev Abbott, Artist
Painting a Miniature
How I Paint A Miniature
True miniature art is 25 square inches or less and 1/6 scale or less, unless the object is originally tiny and then the overall look of the art must reflect the feeling of a miniature.
True miniature art is 25 square inches or less and 1/6 scale or less, unless the object is originally tiny and then the overall look of the art must reflect the feeling of a miniature.
First Stage
While the stages I paint a miniature may vary a bit from painting to painting the following is a typical method I use. First I paint a layer of gesso on the Hard Board and allow it to dry well. Sanding the board smooth, I draw a pencil sketch on the gessoed surface. If there are spots, stripes, wrinkles, deep shading, or other fine details, I carefully render them with the pencil. At this point I can go in one of two directions by either painting the said spots, etc. in acrylic to make them stand out or I can cover the board with a thin layer of Liquin Meduim and allow that to dry overnight. The board is then sanded to eliminate any ridges that may have been formed from the brush.
While the stages I paint a miniature may vary a bit from painting to painting the following is a typical method I use. First I paint a layer of gesso on the Hard Board and allow it to dry well. Sanding the board smooth, I draw a pencil sketch on the gessoed surface. If there are spots, stripes, wrinkles, deep shading, or other fine details, I carefully render them with the pencil. At this point I can go in one of two directions by either painting the said spots, etc. in acrylic to make them stand out or I can cover the board with a thin layer of Liquin Meduim and allow that to dry overnight. The board is then sanded to eliminate any ridges that may have been formed from the brush.
Second Stage
I give the whole board a layer of thin oil paint to indicate the local color and some high lights and shadows. After each layer of paint has dried I give a light sanding to knock down any ridges that may have formed. Color and detail is refined as each layer of paint is laid down. The number of layers required for the finished painting varies from three to many. The number of hours may take from 10 to 40 for most paintings.
I give the whole board a layer of thin oil paint to indicate the local color and some high lights and shadows. After each layer of paint has dried I give a light sanding to knock down any ridges that may have formed. Color and detail is refined as each layer of paint is laid down. The number of layers required for the finished painting varies from three to many. The number of hours may take from 10 to 40 for most paintings.
Final Stage
Painting the final layer with a new brush that comes to a sharp point gives me the small details required of a miniature painting. Carefully inspecting the work for stray ridges or dust specks and sanding any questionable areas I will set the painting aside for a few days or weeks to dry well. After I have lived with a painting for a time, any areas that need to be adjusted will become obvious. Several thin layers of Liquin will be applied to protect the oil paint and give a high gloss wet look that also enriches the colors. I follow the above basic stages for all sizes of the paintings I create, whether they are 1” x 1.5” or 30” x 40”.
Painting the final layer with a new brush that comes to a sharp point gives me the small details required of a miniature painting. Carefully inspecting the work for stray ridges or dust specks and sanding any questionable areas I will set the painting aside for a few days or weeks to dry well. After I have lived with a painting for a time, any areas that need to be adjusted will become obvious. Several thin layers of Liquin will be applied to protect the oil paint and give a high gloss wet look that also enriches the colors. I follow the above basic stages for all sizes of the paintings I create, whether they are 1” x 1.5” or 30” x 40”.
Copyright by Bev Abbott