"Worlds Apart"
"I chose a subject that I knew I could work on in relatively small bites because, while I really want to lose myself in the work, I am a bit unfocused and easily distracted. So this painting fit the bill, I could work on one area at a time, and the longer it took the better! It did evolve from just a colorful image to a quirky interpretation of our current situation."
1. Here is my photo reference and drawing of the marbles. I did the basic drawing on separate paper and transferred to my watercolor paper using a light table. That way, if I need to start again because disaster happens, or want to try the subject with a different color palette, I don't have to go back to square one and do the drawing again. This would be especially useful for a more complicated subject but I have adopted this way of working.
2. With the image now on my watercolor paper (which has been soaked, stapled to the board, and let dry), I reserve the white highlights with masking fluid and begin working on the marbles. While they do relate to each other I approach each as it's own contained abstract. At this point I haven't decided what to do with the background so I'm just ignoring it.
3. I continue to detail the marbles, putting a yellow wash anywhere that I know my final color (red, green) will benefit from it. I draw a fish where I know I want it.
4. I strengthen colors now, getting more form and depth. I decide to add a second fish (an idea I wish I'd had sooner, like before the yellow) and adjust that marble to make it work.
5. I add a few set back marbles that I feel are needed and decide on a solid dark background (a mix of pthalo blue and orange). I add more darks to the marbles, tweak edges and highlights, detail the fish. That's it, "Worlds Apart" is finished. Watercolor on 140# Arches coldpress paper, 10" x 10".
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