This month, we are focusing on how to paint a nose in watercolor. A member of our Facebook group brought up a conundrum that we all face from time to time, which led me to create a formula – a guide we can follow if we lose our way.
Here’s her message:
“I’m not really sure what’s going on with me this year…but I seem to be struggling with the basics and am sooooo behind on commissions. Lots of start overs and throw aways. Has anyone else struggled through a period of “GRRRRRR”?”
Have you felt this way? I have. Things are moving along nicely. You are making progress and happy with your work, and suddenly, you lose focus and begin to flounder.
It happens to all of us, whether we are beginners, intermediate, or advanced painters. In fact, I experienced a loss of focus last week, when painting dog’s noses. I had to take a couple days off from painting, and, upon returning to a partially-completed nose, found that I had completely lost my way and had no idea what to do next.
And I thought, “If I’m feeling this way as a teacher, members of the school must experience it too. We need a FORMULA for creating noses!” And here it is. The steps I follow to create noses in watercolor. If you ever feel like you are at a loss, or things aren’t quite working out, return to the formula to ground yourself!
The Formula
Step 1: Create an Accurate Drawing
An accurate drawing is crucial. This will help you to avoid problems later in the painting. You want to trust your drawing, knowing that the necessary shapes and lines are in place so you can move into the painting with confidence, because you’ll have a clear map to follow.
The images below are taken from a lesson in the Online School. Would you like to learn to paint this and more dog’s noses? I invite you to visit the course HERE.
Step 2: Create a Pale Map
Create a pale map of the prominent lines and shapes of the nose to serve as a guide as you proceed through the painting. Include anything that you think may help – the overall outer shape of nose, vertical line in center, nostrils, folds, slits if you can see them, indications of hair direction, highlight shape, and anything else that you can use to serve as a guide.
Step 3: Map the Colors
Create a map the colors underneath the darker shapes and textures
These applications are lighter in value than the hairs and textures to come.
Begin with the under painting, the lightest values that can be seen underneath the darker textures and values. Then gradually apply darker layers of color.
Reinforce what will be the darkest parts, and then apply mid tones to create contour and curve.
Step 4: Textures, Hairs
Create as many layers of hairs/textures as you think are needed in your painting, allowing drying time between each application.
Step 5: Glazes to adjust color, slightly smooth textures
A glaze is a thin layer of color (or sometimes plain water) place over previous layers of color that have dried. I use glazes to adjust color and value, and slightly smooth textures.
Step 6: Final Refinements
Make adjustments in shapes, value, texture and hairs, and transitions from dark to light.
If you find yourself struggling, losing focus, at a loss in what to do next, persevere! This formula will help! It has worked for me, and will for you.
You can do this! Take your time, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward!
Learn More
Materials Used:
These are affiliate links, and I receive a small commission when you order using them. Thank you!)
Mijello Fusion Palette
Arches 140 lb. Cold Pressed Paper
Brushes: Raphael Kaerell Pointed Round
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Paints– Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue
The images in this post are taken directly from the video course in my online school. Here’s how you can see the lessons in real time, along with the drawing and reference photo:
- View the course, “How to Paint Noses in Watercolor”
- Learn more about monthly membership
- Free Course: How to Paint a Dog’s Eye in Watercolor
- Tour of School
- View All Courses in School
- Answers to Questions About the School
- Join our Facebook Group, Realistic Animals in Watercolor – This is a free, closed group for all enrolled members of the school. All you have to do is enroll in the school.
