Start by adding detail to the edge of the darkest form using the small pointed brush.
Look for where the forms are softer or harsher, and where you can find small elements like branches and twigs sticking out.
Then start to look for more detail at the edges of lighter masses of tone.
This could be more trees or reflections etc.
Finally, heighten the lightest tones, to create a subtle sense of glow.
Don’t use pure white paint though as we need to keep the general painting a bit darker to ensure that the lights on the opposite shore stand out and glow against the parvading gloom.
Materials
Small oil painting surface (primed canvas, panel or oil paper)
Ivory black, Titanium White and Ultramarine Blue oil paint
This lesson will show you a simple approach for drawing all sorts of hair types and styles. We will be using a separation of light and dark masses as the basis for the hair forms before layering texture over this base.
Start by finding the darkest shapes in the hair.
Sketch these shapes simply.
Fill in the shapes with an average dark tone.
You can then start to find gradient transitions that go from dark to light – away from these shadows and towards the highlights.
You may need to use the eraser to amplify the highlights.
You can also use gradual passes of light tone to soften the texture of the hair.