Part 17—Ho Hum! But It Must Be Done!

These steps are the most boring, tedious, non-creative, and definitely my least favorite part of the process. (Can you tell?) 😂 But they are very essential!

Once I have completed any final adjustments to my line drawing, it is time to transfer it to my white, ready-to-paint 24” x 36” hardboard panel, called Gessobord. It has a 3/4” cradle edge and a beautifully smooth surface.

Here’s how I do it (see above picture):

I place my Gessobord on the bottom, Saral transfer paper next, and my line drawing on top. Saral paper is basically the artist’s version of the old carbon paper we used years ago.

Then I trace every single line of my drawing. The pressure transfers the lines through the Saral paper and onto my Gessobord. I use a red ink pen while tracing so I can easily see which lines I have already completed.

Once that is finished, I remove all the papers and draw over every line AGAIN directly on the Gessobord. This is called “inking,” and I use a Micron 05 Terratone liner pen for this step.

Any remaining transfer lines are carefully erased with a sand eraser.

And then comes the wash.

I apply a transparent undertone over the entire Gessobord. For this painting, I chose Naples Yellow. The wash helps prevent any stark white from showing between the colors and gives the entire painting a warm tonal value.

Because it is a wash—paint mixed with water—it is very transparent, so the dark Terratone ink lines remain visible underneath.

Ugh. 😅

These tedious steps are finally finished, and now I can get to the part I really love…

PAINTING!! Yay!! 🎨

Part 17 is done. On to the fun stuff!