Another Budz
My latest watercolor of Bud-Z. I based it on a photo taken during a very sunny day, and I once again struggled with painting the shadows. Practice, practice, practice. I know, but it’s slow going. Digital painting often seems so much easier for me, but it really does all come down to practice!
Meanwhile, I’m putting together some of the tech-related columns I’ve written over the years with a goal of updating some where needed and then putting them together in some kind of an ebook. What do you think? Any interest?
May 17th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Gloria, I worked for many years with outstanding watercolor painter/teacher Zoltan Szabo.
One of his techniques for getting the shadow on the wood might serve you well in this case. It appears that you may have used that or similar technique.
He would apply the texture (wood grain, cracks etc) using a staining dark pigment. In a case like this, Winsor & Newton Sepia. This was done on white paper. Then he would follow with the shadow color in a strong value. Finally, he would lift the light sun lit areas using a bristle brush. He was careful to control edges–sharp near shadow casting object and softer as the edges were further from that object.
I am not sure off hand which of his books would best describe this.
May 17th, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Thanks Willa. I’ll have to check out his instruction. I’m primarily self-taught so any suggestions are welcome! :)