More strategies if direct watercolor is not your go-to method, but you’re still doing the Direct Watercolor challenge.
Strategy #2: Do a Small Study First
Line comes easy to me. Shape is harder. Sound familiar? If that is you, then here’s something you can do:
Start with line. And then block in the shapes over it.
But that isn’t direct watercolor, obviously. It’s your quick 5-minute study. I use this to understand how shape works. Line gives me the idea of some control, proportions and composition; and then it’s easier to switch to thinking in shape. The one thing that was quickly obvious when I blocked in shape was that I was going to need a sky shape if I wanted that turret to stand out, so I added one (see the notes on my study below).
Once that was done, and I’d spent some time getting to where I could see in shape, it was easier to jump in with direct watercolor.
As with the last post, I leave the white I can leave easily (like the turret which I thought was important to leave paper-white). The rest of the detailing and little rim lighting goes in later with white gouache.
That’s Strategy #2: Do a Small Study First
I’m going to keep a running list here:
Strategy #1: • Pick a forgiving subject
Strategy #2: • Do a Small Study First
If you haven’t joined in yet, join the Direct Watercolor group on facebook here. And when you post, tag your work with #30x30DirectWatercolor2018
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH Suhita for all your useful posts..
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Louise, you are welcome!
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I like the size of your palette? Do you remember where you got it?
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At Arch Art in San Francisco, but it’s a standard empty palette like this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5COF5A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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Great tips! Thankyou
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Glad they help, Fern!
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You have created excellent examples for strategies for success! As an administrator for USk Kansas City, may I have permission to share your WordPress posts to our Facebook page?
I have posted the 30 x 30 challenge and I’m certain we will have sketchers interested in participating. The example of sketching the house then using direct watercolor next to it is a concept I plan to use! Thank you for consideration.
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Sure, feel free to share these. This first and second post are all work form direct location, but some of my strategies may not be…
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very helpful – thank you!
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you’re welcome, Sigrun!
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I find your posts very helpful, thank you so much. 😊
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Myrtle Glo, glad you do: they’re strategies I’m working with so I figured I’d share…
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Thanks much for your helpful suggestions. I can work from them easily. Really like your quick watercolor sketch too. Thanks for posting!
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Glad you find them useful, Bernadette!
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Nice also check my blog on gesture drawing
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