|
|
Medium: Watercolor Category: Floral
This demonstration-project is from the book, "Color Harmonies: Paint Watercolors Filled With Light" by Rose Edin and Dee Jepsen, published by North Light Books, an imprint of F + W Media, Inc. Reprinted with permission of the publisher. All steps included. These images and text are copyrighted 2012 by Rose Edin and Dee Jepsen. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
A Watercolor Demonstration
Masking in Layers
by Rose Edin
These beautiful flower pots were sitting outside an artist's studio, and I loved the way the light danced on the rich blue glaze. To make the pots the focus of the painting, I made the flowers larger in my sketch so they formed a nice frame around the pots. To add some depth and interest, I used blue's color harmonies in the leaves and flowers.
Retaining the light and whites, particularly in the pots, makes the glaze seem to sparkle. Plan for these areas in your sketch, and remember that you can always touch up areas toward the end of the process if necessary.
"Midnight Blue," watercolor on 140-lb.
(300gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper
|
|
|
Materials List - PIGMENTS -- Antwerp Blue, Cadmium Orange, Cerulean Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cobalt Violet, Indigo, Permanent Magenta, Permanent Rose, Quinacridone Gold, Scarlet Lake, Winsor Yellow SURFACE -- 140-lb. (300gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper BRUSHES -- 2-inch (51mm) hake, no. 4 rigger, no. 16 or 18 round OTHER -- Eraser, masking fluid, paper towels, pencil, rubber cement pickup, salt, spray bottle filled with water, toothbrush
|
|
|
|
Reference Photos
I took several reference photos that day to capture the nuances of the light and color in the pots.
Thumbnail Sketch
I took some artistic liberties and moved the pots around to make a more pleasing composition. Thumbnail sketches are a great way to work out ideas like this so you have a firm idea of what your composition will look like.
|
 |
|
|
 |
Color Harmonies of the Foliage
To create the green leaves, first apply a yellow underpainting. As you add blue, you'll create vibrant greens that will harmonize with the yellows and blues.
|
|
|
1 Sketch the Composition and Establish the Dark Flowers
Lightly draw your composition on watercolor paper with a pencil. Carefully sketch the reflections on the pot. Closely examine the reference photos to determine the location of the white and light areas.
|
|
2 Apply Masking Fluid and Build the Foliage
Use the no. 4 rigger to apply masking fluid to the flowers and to the tops and sides of the pots. Let the masking fluid dry completely.
Mist the flower area with your spray bottle, then use a no. 16 or 18 round to drop in Cadmium Orange, Quinacridone Gold and Winsor Yellow next to each other. Spatter a bit of Scarlet Lake along the left side to create a light orange. Let this dry.
|
|
|
|
| Apply masking fluid with care
Masking fluid saves the whites to create the effect of glowing lights or to preserve the lines. Use care when applying the masking fluid. It can create a hard edge that becomes obvious in the wrong place of a composition.
|
|
|
|
|
3 Establish the Background and Create Greens
Mast some leaf shapes with a no. 4 rigger to create the lightest yellow values in the leaves.
Wet the whole upper area with the 2-inch (51mm) hake and, using a no. 16 or 18 round, apply Cobalt Blue on the right and upper areas of the background and Antwerp Blue in the darker areas on the left hand side. Let these two blues mingle and create the soft edges. The blues will also create greens when applied over the unmasked yellows. Apply some Cadmium Orange over the Cobalt Blue to create the brown of the soil.
(ABOVE) Detail of Leaf and Flower Shapes -- As you work, connect the flowers and leaves, remembering to overlap these shapes on top of the pots.
|
4 Paint the Pots
Since the leaves are masked, focus on painting the two pots
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 Apply a light shade of Cerulean Blue next to the lightest reflections on the large pot with a no. 16 or 18 round, saving the whites where the reflection is the lightest. Repeat this process on the design of the small pot. Remember to create its reflection on the larger pot. |
2 Apply a very light shade of Cobalt Blue to indicate shadows on the small white pot, then echo this on the reflection in the larger pot. Apply a darker shade of Cobalt Blue to the darker areas of the large pot. Let this dry completely.
Dip a toothbrush in masking fluid, then run your thumb over the bristles so the masking fluid lands on the larger pot. Spatter more masking fluid using the no. 4 rigger. Let this dry, then darken some areas of the larger pot with another layer of Cobalt Blue. While wet, sprinkle some salt over the Cobalt Blue.
|
3 Apply a juicy Antwerp Blue to the darkest areas of the large pot. Use a small amount of Antwerp Blue in the design of the white pot and in its reflection on the large pot. Once the Antwerp Blue is dry, apply Permanent Rose on the lower areas of the blue pot. This will result in a shiny glazed look. |
|
|
 |
5 Refine the Foliage and Establish the Foreground
Mist the flowers and leaves in the pots with the spray bottle. Apply Cobalt Blue and Antwerp Blue to create another layer of greenery. As the dark colors emerge behind the light color harmonies of the leaves and flowers, a whole new dimension is revealed. Let this dry, then remove the masking fluid with the the rubber cement pickup. Add some Quinacridone Gold in the large blue pot to suggest the reflection of the foliage.
Mask around the edge of the pots and the flower foliage spilling over the pots. Suggest the shadows on the ground with diluted Cobalt Blue. Let this dry. Use Indigo for the darker spots.
Color Harmonies of the Pots and Flowers -- Since the pot is blue, using the analogous color harmonies of green and violet will really make the composition stand out.
|
|
the key to creating color harmony is often imagination
Using analogous colors to create color harmony is simply a way of breaking up the color and creating excitement in your painting. Remember, as with the Impressionists, the goal is not to create a photorealistic image, but rather to use pure color in a way that entices the viewer.
|
|
6 Add the Final Touches
Mix Scarlet Lake and Cobalt Blue to create a warm gray. Use this mixture to suggest the midground pebbles. Continue breaking up the deck areas by painting around the light shapes. Use Cadmium Orange in a few light areas to create interest. For darker shadows, apply another layer of the Scarlet Lake and Cobalt Blue mixture. Remove the masking fluid with the rubber cement pickup to reveal the beautiful color.
Masking in Layers
A Watercolor Demonstration
by Rose Edin
Visit her Website
Read about Rose Edin's and Dee Jepsen's book,
"Color Harmonies: Paint Watercolors Filled with Light"
on Amazon
This demonstration-project is from the book, "Color Harmonies:Paint Watercolors Filled with Light" by Rose Edin and Dee Jepsen, published by North Light Books, an imprint of F + W Media, Inc. Reprinted with permission of the publisher. Please Respect Copyrights.
RETURN TO TOP
|
Mindnight Blue, 30" x 22" (76cm x 56cm)
watercolor on 140-lb.(300gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper
Copyright 2012 by Rose Edin
|
|
