The newest tutorial, this kitten in watercolor, has been unveiled in the Online School! It’s amazing how many different kinds of grays and blacks can be created just by combining Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue! Here’s an overview of the process.
- Size: 5 x 7 inches
- Arches 140 lb. Cold Press paper
- Winsor & Newton Watercolor paints – Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue
- Masking fluid
- Watercolor gouache
Step 1: Masking Fluid and Background
Apply masking fluid along the edge of the kitten, in preparation for the background. Allow to dry completely.
The background will be created wet in wet. Wet the paper with clean water and touch in a grey mix of Burnt Sienna and Ultramarine Blue, darker in value on the left side and gradually becoming lighter in value towards the right. I applied one application of gray, allowed it to dry completely, wet the paper again, and applied a second layer of color.
When the background is completely dry (if it feels cool, it’s still damp), remove the masking fluid. At this point, the edges appear a bit messy, but will be fine-tuned later in the painting.
Step 2: Eyes, Nose, Mouth
Create the eyes, nose, and mouth using a pale mix of gray. The purpose, at this point, is to create a map, or guide of the prominent features. Values will be taken darker as the painting progresses.
Step 3: Under Painting and Map the Color Shapes
In this step, the groundwork will be created – the shapes and colors underneath the fur markings to come. I’ll begin with the under painting – the lightest value that can be seen – a pale gray. The light is coming from left to right, and I’ll use this step to clearly separate the light and dark values.
When the under painting has dried, still focusing on the foundation underneath the fur markings to come, a pale map of the shapes of color are created, starting with what will be the darkest parts (although they aren’t dark yet).
Next, create the shapes that will be darker overall, working around the lightest parts. This will serve as a helpful guide as you move through the painting.
Step 4: Darkest Parts
Still focusing on the foundation beneath the fur to come, the darkest shapes will be reinforced. By the end of this step, values will appear disjointed and unbalanced, but this will be solved in the next step.
Step 5: Mid Tones
Mid tone values, those in between darkest and lightest, will be used to create smooth transitions from dark to light. By the end of this step, the values are appearing to be more in balance.
Step 6: Fur Markings
The groundwork – colors and shapes – are in place, and ready for fur/hair markings.
First, pale fur markings will be applied, creating a map of the length and contour/curve of the hairs that can be used as a guide when going darker in value.
This is followed by the darkest fur, then the mid tones.
Step 7: Final Details
For the final details, glazes of thin color will be used to take areas darker and slightly smooth the fur. In addition, fine, white hairs and whiskers are created with watercolor gouache.
Finally, a bit of plain water will be gently applied to smooth textures where needed.
The full tutorial video, in real time, can be seen at my online school at rebeccarhodes.teachable.com.In addition, you can view excerpts of the video on my Youtube channel!
I welcome your comments and questions, and thanks for sharing!
