Taking Flight

This week we have had a lot if snow and so it is hard to believe that spring is around the corner.  This painting is a "nod" to spring.  We are ready!! This work is titled "Taking Flight".  I tried a few new things with this painting.  First, I drew some swirls in the sky to add some movement....she needs some wind to fly that kite, am I right?  And then after the watercolor was finished I went back in with a drawing pencil and added some more shading,  cross hatching, and outlining. 

Stay warm until next time!

Work in Progress

I thought I might show you what I have been working on lately.  I also thought I might show you a bit of my process along the way.  Since my last post I have actually worked on a few paintings that I have since abandoned.  It is kind of the way it goes sometimes, maybe I might finish them up at a later time but for now I really like this one that I have titled "Taking Flight"

Here is a sketch I have decided to use for my watercolor. I have gone over the lines that I want to use with pen and have even added a bit of shading.  I usually don't take my sketches much further.  Next I want to transfer this sketch to my watercolor paper.

I turn my sketch over and use the side of a very soft drawing pencil (I used a 6B) to cover the back side of the sketch.  This will be like making your own carbon paper.

Next I tape the sketch to my watercolor paper right side up and centered.  Tape it at the top and start going over the lines with a harder drawing pencil (I used 2H) or pen.

I will periodically lift my sketch up to make sure I am getting all the lines transferred to the watercolor paper.  As soon as I am satisfied with results I will remove sketch.

Notice that her left hand is missing, that is because I didn't like it in the sketch.  I will fix it later. Now I am ready to prepare my watercolor paper to begin painting.