I started with a rough sketch of the composition. My initial sketch is usually quite rough, but expressive. I use it to work out the lines of action and flow of the eye.
I started with a rough sketch of the composition. My initial sketch is usually quite rough, but expressive. I use it to work out the lines of action and flow of the eye.
I usually enlarge my original drawing on my photocopier to the correct size, ready to be transferred onto the 78 x 54 cm stretched piece of 300gsm Arches watercolour paper.
After deciding on size and format, I drew the foreground objects to size with as much detail as possible before transferring them onto my prepared board.
I keep my ‘outdoor’ set in a cheap plastic fisherman’s box – the kind with compartments used to keep hooks and lures. I pack the pastels in with cotton wool or rice, so the rougher the journey, the cleaner they get.
STEP ONE
Before I even contemplate creating a composition I always make sure there are several layers of paint on my canvas. Just starting on a new, white canvas can be overwhelming.
STEP ONE
Firstly I applied a very pale blue soft pastel (gently rubbed in with my finger) to the background immediately around the birds and the very small foliage.
STEP ONE
Setting up the composition
I draw a border around the page, so that I don’t stray too close to the edge, remembering the picture will be framed. I then set my guide marks,
STEP ONE
Firstly, I softly rule up a grid and outline the features, then remove grid lines and use a divider to check measurements and a ruler to check angles against the reference photo.
STEP ONE
After selecting the best photos to work with and that would work well together, I drew up a very rough layout to get the balance right.
STEP ONE
I began by drawing up the composition. Having established a composition (using Adobe Photoshop to manipulate photographs), I then sketched a basic outline using a broad grid.
STEP ONE
I did a minimal drawing with a light blue pastel pencil to establish the overall composition; and the line of the river bank and placement of trees.
STEP ONE
Very basic application here of a squiggly line to represent the top of the wave, running left to right and down the right hand slope of the gathering section of the wave…
STEP ONE
Pencil sketch for composition While the initial rough sketch usually takes the least physical time of the whole painting process, it can take a considerable period to settle on the right composition before putting pencil to watercolour paper.
STEP ONE
I’ve chosen to paint a sunny fun day in the water! On a quarter sheet of 640g H/P watercolour paper I have airbrushed a background using Cadmium yellow and Cobalt in separate washes.
STEP ONE
To begin a work, I always use a soft thin charcoal stick. Quite a few. This is good for shading and structuring the composition. I also use my hands and fingers to help shape the forms of the work.