Added 2015-04-26 07:15:37 +0000 UTC
Before I colour something very complicated, I often make a digital colour sketch - here, I've put the focus on a clear path through the image (front right to back left or vice versa), the contrast between drab green-greys and dull oranges of the autumn leaves, and the background receding into damp blue-greys that's echoed in the legionaries' helmets in the front. Classical raindrops that cover the enitre image (the way we always tried to do them in high school) rarely work on watercolour. Whether you mask them out with masking fluid or paint them in with gouache later, they create chaotic and overwhelming bright specks that can mess up an entire piece, especially if it's detailed. Here, it's important to see that the legionaries are wet and miserable, but you can convey that without painting individual raindrops.
Comments
Looks awesome to me. :) I love seeing your process; it's so inspiring!
Deanna
2015-04-29 15:09:44 +0000 UTC
