On 'Rough' or 'Cold Pressed' watercolor paper,
paint a patch of color in the shape of a tree. I try to
hold my brush flat or sideways, almost horizontal to
the paper. The shape should be shiny wet but not
wet enough to puddle and run. With a crumpled
paper towel, lightly blot away highlights and sky
holes. The longer you allow the paint to set the
darker the blotted area will be. If you blot too soon
the paint will seep back into the blot. The colors of
the paint you select will also determine how much
they will "stain" the paper before being blotted away.
Roll or turn the paper towel to keep a dry blotting
area. Don't over blot.
Always keep in mind that the wet paint will dry
lighter. You may want to repeat this process over
the same tree area to add additional texture and
depth.
paint a patch of color in the shape of a tree. I try to
hold my brush flat or sideways, almost horizontal to
the paper. The shape should be shiny wet but not
wet enough to puddle and run. With a crumpled
paper towel, lightly blot away highlights and sky
holes. The longer you allow the paint to set the
darker the blotted area will be. If you blot too soon
the paint will seep back into the blot. The colors of
the paint you select will also determine how much
they will "stain" the paper before being blotted away.
Roll or turn the paper towel to keep a dry blotting
area. Don't over blot.
Always keep in mind that the wet paint will dry
lighter. You may want to repeat this process over
the same tree area to add additional texture and
depth.
When the paint is dry, add some darker areas under the bough above the blots as shown. Dry again.
Tree #1 Painted with a flat brush. Tree #2 was painted with a round brush.
| © Susie Short Studio LLC All Rights Reserved. www.susieshort.net Permission to print for personal study. |
| Now, the most technical part is to add the branches, Paint the limbs and branches in the darker areas of the tree and across the sky holes. Leave the lighter areas for the leaves closest to the viewer. If the trunk gets too dark. Blot with your paper towel. This adds great bark and texture. |
Keeping the trunk lighter at the bottom will
allow you to paint in grasses or pretty flowers
at the base of the tree. Try painting several
of these trees using various green mixtures.
Its interesting to see which will blot away and
leave color behind. Just like a real tree, not
two are exactly alike!
Enjoy painting!
Keep those brushes wet!
SUSIE
allow you to paint in grasses or pretty flowers
at the base of the tree. Try painting several
of these trees using various green mixtures.
Its interesting to see which will blot away and
leave color behind. Just like a real tree, not
two are exactly alike!
Enjoy painting!
Keep those brushes wet!
SUSIE
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| © Susie Short Studio LLC All Rights Reserved. www.susieshort.net Permission to print for personal study. |
| © Susie Short Studio LLC All Rights Reserved. www.susieshort.net Permission to print for personal study. |
| Painting Trees by "Blotting" Highlights with a Paper Towel |