Here is an example of how to quickly move through a painting:

1. Very rarely will I sketch out the painting with graphite (pencil) It shows through the opaque paint and can be very noticeable. Use Conté it will fuse with the paint and add a interesting lines to your edges.

2. Always start off with a primer, I use student grade paints for this faze (Rheotech). If I am painting a dark painting I use a extremely dark primer, don't be afraid to use black. No matter what you have been told by your teachers, black is great! I am trying to paint a light picture so I will use a light brown. It does not have to go on thick in fact a varying wash will do.

3. To convey light you need to create contrast. The darker you have your darks the lighter you lights will be. So when I paint anything, in this case the dog, I put down the first layer as dark as possible. this way I build the colours dark to light. You will find that working with acrylics this way will be a lot easier and the subtle effect are awesome.

4. To invite the viewer in I always use an old watercolour trick. Darken the foreground. It almost acts as a stage for the panting to start and reality to end. Sounds silly but it works. Distance is always blue. If you use blue in your distance you will find its much more convincing. I find Ultramarine Blue works well with unbleached Titanium white.

5. I can not express the use of red enough. Picasso said it was the only colour to move the eye around so if you have subject matter that you want notice use red some how it will lure the eye. Don't over kill red its a powerful colour and can demand too much attention.

6. My two favorite colours are Hookers Green and Vandyke Brown they pick up light and reflect it like nobodies business. They are also high gloss so your painting will have a great oil shine to it. Use Vandyke brown for pupils and lips like the renaissance did it will bring life to you paintings. Promise. Highlights are the finesse of any painting they communicate light and volume. Light in you painting should effect everything in it. It should react and reflect, practice will make you better at it.

Note- cover your final piece with a glaze. Use a matte or gloss, whatever you want. It will protect the painting from the sun and will boost the colour intensity as well!