This is another sketch for a painting, but with a more challenging subject.
Author: martinnc
Lemon painted
Those wash studies I did a few days ago have really helped me control the paint and I felt this was a step forward in terms of simplicity. I misjudged the tones on the right-hand side, but that was a flaw in observation rather than technique.
Colour match challenge: lemon
I practised the tone gradation and adding touches of green and vermilion.
Lemon: sketch for a painting
I’m trying to choose simple subjects to test my ability to apply washes in gradients, without overworking the paint.
Colour wash practice 2: wet in wet
I liked this wet in wet approach, and it even worked on this print paper. It gave a smooth, soft transition. Again, controlling the amount of water on the brush is crucial. It’s surprising how little you need after the first wash.
Colour wash practice 1
This time I controlled (1) the amount of water on the brush and (2) the amount of paint on the brush. I’ve concluded it’s vital to have something to dry the brush on, like a paper towel. That’s as vital as water.
Red pepper painted
Again, I messed up with the wash. I kept going over it to get the tone right. I wasn’t in control, so I have to learn how to control the tone better so I just go over the paper once.
Colour match challenge: red pepper painted
I had a struggle matching the red, but finally decided alazarin crimson and vermilion came close.
Red pepper sketch
Another sketch preparing for a painting.
Grapefruit painted
This wasn’t a great success. I tried to go back and darken the shadows and only ended up messing the paint. It’s my first try using watercolour paper and it’s a bit different to print paper. In print paper the colour gets absorbed and doesn’t come away when you go over it again. In watercolour paper the paint wipes off if it’s still wet. I need to learn more about applying washes, especially to show difference in tone.