How to Celebrate Fall Through Mini Watercolors
Make a list of words that represent the season., Look in magazines, online and in newspapers to see how others depict autumn., Cut a long strip, approximately 6" X 14" or use a piece of 11" X 14" watercolor paper from a pad., Draw freehand squares...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make a list of words that represent the season.
Just close your eyes and write what comes to mind as you think the word, "autumn." -
Step 2: Look in magazines
Ads closely track trends and are illustrated with nice photographs. Newspapers list fall events. Clothing ads show cooler weather apparel. Keep these pictures as references as you work., Either format will work well and give you an opportunity to fill the space with many of your favorite fall things. , Use a pencil and break up the space on the entire paper. Make various shapes. , The possibilities are endless, but go back to your list of words and clipping for inspiration. , In another space, draw a fallen leaf. Add apples on branches in another space and keep going until all frames are filled., If desired, use a set of watercolors with dry pads you need to moisten and activate with water. You could also use water-soluable or regular colored pencils. Colored markers would be fun, too. Or, do a mixture of all those media. , This is an opportunity to showcase the warm colors; orange, red, red-violet, gold, rust, brown and yellow. Contrast them with the cooler ones from the opposite side of the color wheel. Blue, green, blue-violet, an an array of neutrals from pale gray to black. These will highlight the warmer, brighter colors. , Use the brightest and boldest colors to bring out the subject of each rectangle. Then color the backgrounds for each, working right up to the border. , How detailed to make your painting is up to you. Any approach you pick is acceptable and will show your own personality and style. , Either black Sharpie or permanent colored markers. A small, pointed brush can be used for detail work, too. , Take a look at your work from a distance and decide what to do with the white paper around the mini-paintings. Anything you do is fine, including leaving it unpainted. An all-over treatment of color will unify your page. , Paint another color, up to three, layers over thoroughly dry paint. Or, to remove color, use a scrub brush or a piece of white kitchen cleaning sponge called a Magic Eraser., As the paper dries, the piece will brighten but the watercolors will appear slightly fainter. Go back in at this point and heighten any colors that need it, add more detail, and remember to intermingle colors throughout the scene. Do this by touching small areas with the color of another area., Don't be sad if you can't really have haystacks, scarecrows or smoking leaf piles at hand because through art, all things are possible. Even a row of noisy crows. -
Step 3: online and in newspapers to see how others depict autumn.
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Step 4: Cut a long strip
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Step 5: approximately 6" X 14" or use a piece of 11" X 14" watercolor paper from a pad.
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Step 6: Draw freehand squares and rectangles
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Step 7: as many as you wish
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Step 8: any size you like
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Step 9: to use for your miniature "snapshots" or paintings of autumn.
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Step 10: Fill each space with something that represents fall.
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Step 11: Start by filling a shape with a fat pumpkin
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Step 12: if you are having difficulty facing those blank canvases.
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Step 13: Set up a palette of primary and secondary tube watercolors.
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Step 14: Keep the hues of fall in mind as you begin to color your design.
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Step 15: Get started by working on the main elements of each scene.
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Step 16: Keep on painting until all miniature scenes are complete.
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Step 17: To do smaller details
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Step 18: consider outlining them with markers.
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Step 19: Stand up your paper.
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Step 20: Keep in mind that any background you pick can be altered
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Step 21: even drastically changed.
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Step 22: Allow the piece to dry overnight and evaluate it again.
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Step 23: Enjoy your foray into fall.
Detailed Guide
Just close your eyes and write what comes to mind as you think the word, "autumn."
Ads closely track trends and are illustrated with nice photographs. Newspapers list fall events. Clothing ads show cooler weather apparel. Keep these pictures as references as you work., Either format will work well and give you an opportunity to fill the space with many of your favorite fall things. , Use a pencil and break up the space on the entire paper. Make various shapes. , The possibilities are endless, but go back to your list of words and clipping for inspiration. , In another space, draw a fallen leaf. Add apples on branches in another space and keep going until all frames are filled., If desired, use a set of watercolors with dry pads you need to moisten and activate with water. You could also use water-soluable or regular colored pencils. Colored markers would be fun, too. Or, do a mixture of all those media. , This is an opportunity to showcase the warm colors; orange, red, red-violet, gold, rust, brown and yellow. Contrast them with the cooler ones from the opposite side of the color wheel. Blue, green, blue-violet, an an array of neutrals from pale gray to black. These will highlight the warmer, brighter colors. , Use the brightest and boldest colors to bring out the subject of each rectangle. Then color the backgrounds for each, working right up to the border. , How detailed to make your painting is up to you. Any approach you pick is acceptable and will show your own personality and style. , Either black Sharpie or permanent colored markers. A small, pointed brush can be used for detail work, too. , Take a look at your work from a distance and decide what to do with the white paper around the mini-paintings. Anything you do is fine, including leaving it unpainted. An all-over treatment of color will unify your page. , Paint another color, up to three, layers over thoroughly dry paint. Or, to remove color, use a scrub brush or a piece of white kitchen cleaning sponge called a Magic Eraser., As the paper dries, the piece will brighten but the watercolors will appear slightly fainter. Go back in at this point and heighten any colors that need it, add more detail, and remember to intermingle colors throughout the scene. Do this by touching small areas with the color of another area., Don't be sad if you can't really have haystacks, scarecrows or smoking leaf piles at hand because through art, all things are possible. Even a row of noisy crows.
About the Author
Judith Rogers
Specializes in breaking down complex cooking topics into simple steps.
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