I thought you might enjoy seeing the painting I did of an owl today in stages:
Step 1 – Paint the background a brown color and let dry. I’m using Arches Cold Press Aquarelle Art Board as my surface.
Step 2 – Draw my image in pencil. Using a wet brush, I rewetted areas and then lifted the paint with a dry brush and a small damp sponge.
As you can see, this adds shading even before I add paint!
Step 3 – Start painting with layers of watercolor and white gouache.
It is starting to look like an owl! I took a break from sitting and went for a walk outside. 🙂
Step 4 – Add finishing details with a fine brush.
Signed my name and I’m done!
Would love to hear what you think! 🙂
Great job!
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Thank you Susan! I appreciate you stopping by! 😊
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This is beautiful artwork!! 🙂
Keep up the great work!
XOXO,
Isabella
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Thank you kindly Isabella! 😊
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I love this owl. And what an interesting way of doing the background. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a watercolor done this way. I love the result though. great job
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Thank you Cubbyholes! This is the first time I’ve done a watercolor like this method. It took me a couple of tries! 😊
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Keep at it. What beautiful permutations it could produce!
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Holy hell, Jill, this is gorgeous!! Wow! I’m very impressed. And thanks for explaining your process! Love his cute little beak. :))) Terrific eyes too, but I like the whole thing. Awesome work!
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Hahaha Laura! Thanks for making me laugh! I am a bit amazed myself how well this one turned out. I was really struggling with the beak so I took a break. When I came back to it, I was able to figure it out. 😊
Oh, BTW, I was listening to Norah Jones while painting it! 😊😊😊
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WOOT! 😀 Or should I say hoot? lol! Music can be magical. I think you were channeling this owl! 😀
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Beautiful Jill!! Thanks for sharing your technique!
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Thanks Peggy! I appreciate you stopping by my blog! 😊
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Magnifique peinture ! J’adore !
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Thank you Helene! This was a class from Val Webb! So glad you introduced me to her!
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That’s a really beautiful owl. Love the eyes, so intense. And the way you did it reminds me a little of what we learned from Carla’s latest painting on the board with gesso, but I’m so new at all this. I don’t even know what gouache is! ha ha Thanks for sharing your art.
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Hi Cher! Thanks for you nice compliment! Gouache is like watercolor but it is more opaque whereas watercolor is more transparent. 😊
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