Thumb Sheets

Big paintings start with small ideas.

Set the aspect ratio of your intended canvas, then print a sheet of empty thumbnail frames. Work small and quickly: try different shapes, values, and arrangements before committing to a composition.

1. Print a sheet
2. Brainstorm composition ideas
3. Scan / photograph it
4. Blow it up
5. Transfer to “canvas” (substrate)
6. Paint it

Choose a thumbnail you like, enlarge it to your painting’s size, and transfer it to your canvas, panel, paper, or other substrate.