Portrait Artist Forum - View Single Post - Oh daughter, drawing preliminary to watercolor

Chris Saper · 06-22-2002, 12:28 PM

Dear Mike,

There are many painters more qualified than I to advise on watercolor. For what it's worth, though, in the few that I have done, I have LIGHTLY sketched the general shapes and feature placement with a #2 pencil, using the fewest possible strokes, then ERASED the pencil as thoroughly as possible before applying paint.

You will still have a light ghost as a guide to begin your painting. Because you will have passages that will only hold a single wash, the pencil will always show through if you don't get rid of it up front. Once the washes are applied, you can't erase the pencil marks.

I think watercolor is the most difficult of all the media. But the results in the hands of a skilled watercolorist (I clearly do not count myself among them!) can knock your socks off!

Good luck!
Chris

06-22-2002, 12:28 PM	#3
Chris Saper SENIOR MODERATOR SOG Member FT Professional, Author '03 Finalist, PSofATL '02 Finalist, PSofATL '02 1st Place, WCSPA '01 Honors, WCSPA Featured in Artists Mag. Joined: Jun 2001 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,481	Dear Mike, There are many painters more qualified than I to advise on watercolor. For what it's worth, though, in the few that I have done, I have LIGHTLY sketched the general shapes and feature placement with a #2 pencil, using the fewest possible strokes, then ERASED the pencil as thoroughly as possible before applying paint. You will still have a light ghost as a guide to begin your painting. Because you will have passages that will only hold a single wash, the pencil will always show through if you don't get rid of it up front. Once the washes are applied, you can't erase the pencil marks. I think watercolor is the most difficult of all the media. But the results in the hands of a skilled watercolorist (I clearly do not count myself among them!) can knock your socks off! Good luck! Chris __________________ www.ChrisSaper.com