I was not sure what to write about this week, and realised there are things I take for granted in the way I sketch, that may be of interest to someonr.
The two coffee cups I sketched this week. My style is the ‘unfinished’ look. I sketch the object with the watercolour pencil that is the colour of the object. See a step by step blog.
Note:
- the cup is not fully coloured in, but you know what colour it is.
- You don’t need to draw the entire object – just the hint of the saucer is enough . The viewers’ mind will fill in the blanks.
- I have drawn the muffin . I decided not to draw the plate the muffin was on, as it would have taken up too much of the page. And the muffin was more important than the plate. And I was hungry.
- I draw cups often and am comfortable with the circles and ellipses of the cups. Practice, practice, practice.
- I also sketch these Pacific Black Ducks regularly as I walk through the gardens and their everyday. I have sketched them so often and know what they look like and my pencil flows across the page.
- Like my teacups, I also use the same watercolour pencil on the spot as the colour of the duck . No lead pencil first and then going over it in colour. There is often not the time. No eraser – and I keep the watercolour pencil marks on the page of where I was finding the line.
- There were about 20 of these birds at the pond. If the one that I was sketching moved away, there would soon be another one in is position. This can also work with drawing people. There are some positions that are a constant.
I hope this provides an insight into the way I sketch , Let me know if and how it has been of use. It is lovely to know when I have made even the smallest impact on someone’s sketching and understanding of watercolour pencils.
Alissa, it looks as though you do apply some water to the water colour pencil – is that correct?
Hello Marilyn, Most of the time I sketch directly on the page with the watercolour pencil, adding heavier or more colour in some areas and then using the waterbrush to spread the colour across areas on the page.
Sometimes I take the colour off the tip of the watercolour pencil with the waterbrush and add it to the paper from the waterbrush. I hope this makes sense. I would do this is get a lot of intense colour in one small area.
Or I do this when mixing two colours. I take colour off one watercolourpencil tip and then take it off a second one. for example Burnt Umber and Venetian Red. I would then test it (usually on my hand) and then maybe add a bit more of one colour to get the right shade. Doing this works for small areas only.
And it means that you need to sharpen your watercolour pencils often, taking colour off the tip of the watercolour pencils blunts them quickly.
I hope this makes sense. I will one day learn to video myself sketching and be able to ahow it.
The use of the watercolour pencil in the colour of the object is a good idea for me. I have been sketching with pen and then using watercolour washes but lately I have become timid again because of lack of practice. This way, the line can be blended in if it needs to be adjusted.
Thanks Alissa,
I’ve receiving your newsletter for a while now and want to express my thanks for all the information and guidance you share.
Best wishes Susan
Thanks for sharing your watercolor pencil techniques — I use many of the same ones, too, and work similarly. And your composition tips are very helpful — like not drawing the muffin’s plate. Sometimes I am too literal and feel like I must draw what I see. It’s ridiculous, because if it’s not important to the story or composition, I can leave it out. But I forget sometimes that it’s my choice, not a law! 😉
– Tina
Thank you Susan. I am so happy that I can share some useful information with you .
HI Verla. Sometimes I sketch with an ink pen and add the watercolour pencil after, and other times I just dive on in with the pencil. There is so much colour that you can get out of them. I am continually learning ways of how to use them !