Through the Window. Painting #91. Using Contact Paper to Enhance Your Art.
Date Painted: December 30, 2019
Size: 16 x 20 Stretched Canvas
Through the Window is my 91st oil painting. A cleverly constructed shape using contact paper on canvas! Peek through the panes and share a beautiful snowy day outside.
“Trees cover up a multitude of sins.” – Bob Ross
Let’s Get Started
This post is about my version of Through the Window by Bob Ross. First, I’ll talk about the inspiration for this painting. When I talk about inspiration in this blog, it will normally be why I chose a certain subject or Bob Ross episode to follow. Then, I will go over the colors and equipment I used and that you will need if you want to try your hand at it or something similar. Next, I will expound a bit about my process. Finally, I’ll wrap up with some lessons that I learned from painting this picture and things I could have done better or wished I had known. So join me on this trip down memory lane as I recap my 91st oil painting.
The Inspiration
The inspiration for Through the Window was Joy of Painting episode S30E7 . It was winter in Florida and since we don’t get snow down there, I had to create my own world much like I did with my autumn paintings. This episode seemed mostly simple and I wanted to try the contact paper cutout technique.
Materials
Here are the colors and equipment I used to paint Through the Window. All of the colors are included with the Bob Ross Master Paint Set.
Colors
Mediums
Equipment
Before We Begin/Canvas Prep
Contact Paper Application
The first thing you need to complete this painting is some contact paper. When I used to watch Bob Ross as a kid, I never knew what contact paper actually was. It wasn’t until his sort of modern rebirth that I learned what it was. It’s simply a protective covering that you can stick onto surfaces. It’s commonly used in cupboards and cabinets or other shelving.
You can use contact paper to cut out any shape in which you want to paint a scene. Bob commonly used it for oval paintings. This one is a bit different. The way I did it is as follows.
- Trace the size of your canvas onto the contact paper
- Cut out the canvas shape
- Draw out a square of your size choice.
- For the arch of the window, I used the side of an oval canvas. You can make this window any shape you want.
- Cut out the window shape and stick to the canvas. You’ll really have to press hard. You could also add some masking tape to the sides to help it stick.
- Use masking tape for the window pane dividers.
An alternative to contact paper, though I’ve never tried it, is masking fluid. You paint your border shape, paint within it then peel it off.
Liquid White
How to apply liquid white. The first thing to do with any Bob Ross painting is to apply the liquid hwite.(Spread it right over the contact paper). The trick is to not apply too much. Having the right amount of medium on the canvas will help lighten your value in the sky and aid in blending everything together.
I learned that the best way to apply the liquid white is to dip your brush into the white then dab it all over the canvas. After you’ve dabbed it, then you start to spread it around. However, you don’t paint it on like you’re painting a fence. With this medium, you have to spread it around and scrub it in. Really get tough with it. Don’t worry, you’re not going to hurt your brush.
Make sure the medium is spread evenly. To do this, I use the light of the room or outdoors. For example, I look at the canvas at different angles to pick out dry spots. To check if you have applied the right amount, lightly press your fingers on different spots on the canvas. You should be able to see your fingerprint. If you can’t, then you’ve put too much on. Don’t worry. Simply take a paper towel and lightly wipe the canvas. The liquid white you need will remain on the surface.
How I painted Through the Window and Lessons Learned
Sky
This sky is one of the simplest skies you could possibly paint. Mix some Prussian Blue and Midnight Black together and go in with the two inch brush. Use varying amounts of pressure so you have light and dark values. This gives you depth in the sky.
Trees
The majority of this painting consists of trees. If you follow along with Bob, you can use the window bars as sort of a guide to help you with the placement of the trees and help create depth. I painted these trees as Bob suggested using upward push of the fan brush. You can use either size brush but the #3 makes those distant and smaller trees easier to paint.
The colors used for these trees are a mix of Prussian Blue, Black, and Alizarin Crimson. Except for the distant trees. Those are made with the sky color and a bit of white. The highlights are made with Pthalo Blue and white. That color really helps them stand out.
Birch trees may be my favorite non-evergreen tree to paint. They are really easy using the knife. Use straight up Van Dyke Brown. Using the palette knife to paint trees is what gives these types of paintings that texture. This same texture will help the Titanium White stick giving them that classic birch tree look.
Final Thoughts
I love the sky and background trees in this painting. I had a lot of fun painting it and I still get a lot of compliments about it. You can have a lot of fun with this. Once you peel the contact paper away, you can paint the outside of the shape a different color. Brown, gray, or even a wood grain effect if you wanted.
I hope you enjoy this painting. If you’re looking to try something relatively simple to try out, this is a great one to do. It’s fairly simple. No complicated elements or colors to mix. Have a question? Comment below. Follow me on all my social media sites to stay up to date and be notified when a new post is live and learn more about the Bob Ross method and how far it can take you as a new artist. Want this painting for yourself? It is available in my Art Store.
Happy Painting!