The Barn Painting

Today I am sharing another bespoke child’s painting with you. It is an adorable Wyoming “landscape” with a barn, done by a sweet little girl. I repainted it on canvas for Dad’s 40th birthday.

This was the process:

Mom sent her daughter’s drawing via email.

Because there weren’t many colors in it, we needed to figure out a color scheme.  We thought about the family’s home decor, which sounds pretty pared down, neutral, and modern.  We decided to paint the barn in a bright red, so it would pop on the wall and reference a red barn that Dad snapped a photo of during the summer (he’s a professional photographer). After we had the colors figured out, I ordered the perfect sized canvas.

Then the painting began.

I start all of my paintings with a thin wash of color in  a lot of paint thinner.  I chose a pale blue wash this time, since sky would be part of the painting.  Then I “sketch” or copy the drawing with a little brush in paint, all by hand.  I don’t use any reflecting or camera equipment.

Is it scary to draw in paint, you ask?  No.  You can “erase” it just like a pencil drawing.  All you have to do is grab a paper towel loaded with paint thinner and wipe it away while it’s wet.  You can see where I “scrubbed” out a few spots when they weren’t quite right.

And here’s the final painting.  Look close, and you’ll see all the thick texture.

What do you think?

If you have a children’s drawing you would like preserved as an oil painting and matched to your home, send a message via my contact page. I’ll get you a quote!  You can view more information about them here.

Happy Friday!