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 |