| 3.) To add a softer less defined vein is to "draw" or paint the veins in using clear water in a damp/moist brush after the painted leaf has had a little time for the paint to settle and set up. It will be at a stage where it is starting to loose its shine but is not dry. |
| 4.) When you paint the leaves you can add veins as you go. The darker veins are scored or scratched into the wet paint. For the lighter veins wait until the paint has settled and dried some but is still damp and then scrape away some of the pigment leaving the illusion of lighter veins. |
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| Click on the images below for larger photo references ~ Courtesy of Susie! |
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| To make a pattern or line drawing to work from, place a piece of tracing paper or transparency film over your photo and trace the simple lines or shapes. |
| This pattern can be moved and adjusted to match your painting and help you in finding the petal shapes. Lightly outine these shapes with a No. 2 pencil. (HINT: If you use watercolor pencils for this step you won't have any pencil lines to erase!) |
| After the splattered blue paint on the watercolor paper has dried, the pattern is place under the painting so the shapes can be transfered using a lightbox or window. As you can see the pattern is visable through 140 lb. CP paper. |
| FINISHING YOUR PAINTING: Adding definition and details by using both the positive and negative shapes will bring your hydrangea painting to life. This final step in the process is simple but time consuming because you are repeating it over the entire hydrangea bloom. Your painting can be as loose and splashy or as detailed as you want to make it. The hydrangea painting on the right is by one of my very talented online students. (Deb Leger, Canada) |
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| Permission to print single copy for personal use only. (C) Copyright 2003 Susie Short Studio LLC ~ ~ www.susieshort..net |
| Susie's Watercolor Tips -- Page 2 (back) |