Preparation:
1. Choose a Subject: Select a photo reference of the subject you want to paint. Make sure the reference has good lighting, clear details, and is composed well.
2. Set up your Canvas: Stretch your canvas or select a canvas that fits your desired painting size.
3. Apply Gesso: Cover the canvas with gesso, a primer that will prepare the surface for paint. Let it dry.
Painting:
1. Start with a Value Sketch: Use a neutral gray color to sketch the basic shapes, light, and shadow areas, and the composition on the canvas. This helps plan the painting's broad tonal values.
2. Block-in Your Colors: Using bold, flat colors, apply the local colors of your subject. Each object or area should be its own color. Ignore details at this stage.
3. Establish Values: Apply a second layer to refine values. Use a darker color to make shadows darker and a lighter color to lighten areas.
4. Refine Colors and Values: Continue building up the painting, adding more detailed color variations, values, and textures. Avoid over-blending at this point, as it can lose definition.
Details and Techniques:
1. Add Details: Begin adding specific details, textures, highlights, and shadows. Use small brushes for precision.
2. Use Color Mixing: Don't rely on the colors directly from your paint tubes. Mix and tweak them to achieve realistic tones.
3. Apply Blending Techniques: Use a dry brush for controlled blending, or thin your paints with a medium for smoother gradients.
4. Highlights and Reflections: Add highlights to shiny objects and light sources. Paint reflections on glossy surfaces.
5. Contrast: Pay attention to the contrast of light and dark values, as it enhances depth and realism.
6. Focus: Choose one area of the painting to have the highest sharpness and detail, while other areas can be slightly less detailed.
Finishing Touches:
1. Step Back: Take breaks and view the painting from a distance to notice areas that might need more work or have visual problems.
2. Correct Mistakes: Use small brushes to fix any color deviations, wrong details, or areas that seem off.
3. Glazing and Varnishing: Apply final glazes or thin layers of paint for color correction or effects. Allow the painting to dry completely.
4. Varnish: Apply a protective varnish to enhance colors and protect the painting.
Remember, developing realistic painting skills takes time and patience. Practice, study art theory and techniques, observe the world around you, and you'll gradually improve your ability to create realistic paintings. Happy painting!