“Venetian Watercolor Demonstration” Progression Images

Initial Stage:

I work with my painting surface in an upright position whenever I demonstrate my watercolor techniques to large groups. For this demo, I decided to wet the paper a section at a time as I went along brushing in color with a 1-inch flat sable brush. To control the amount of water used to wet the paper I used a small atomizer (seen in my right hand).

Step 2.

After spritzing more water onto the paper, I continue to drop in color.

Step 3.

I continue this process all the way to the bottom of the paper. For this step, I used Permanent Rose and Raw Sienna. These colors were applied separately allowing them to mix directly on the wet paper. The drawing shows up best in this photo.

Step 4.

While the paper is still wet a brush load of Ultramarine Blue is brushed in stronger along the top and used only faintly towards the bottom. Once the background is complete it is allowed to dry. The first layer of the buildings begins.

Step 5.

I want the background to really sit back in this scene so I’m using neutral grays, gray violets, and bluish grays. To make these grays different combinations of Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Rose, and Raw Sienna are used. I’m also paying close attention to my value selection being sure to keep more distant objects lighter and devoid of too much color, detail, and texture.

Step 6.

After the first go-round of painting on each building dries, glazes are brushed onto previously painted surfaces. A glaze is a diluted transparent color painted over another color that was allowed to dry completely. One must take great care to not lift the first layer of color with overbrushing

Step 7.

Once the buildings are complete and allowed to dry, it’s time to get working on the gondolas.

Step 8.

Step 9.

Completed Watercolor