Step 1
We discovered this little water scene while exploring the river walk around the Tonbridge Castle in southeast England. It was a quiet pastoral scene just begging to be painted.
Step 2
I always begin my painting with a plan. this helps ensur the success of the project. In addition to my sketchbook studies, I always do a quick thumbnail sketch to sudy the value patterns. After doing this, I have a roadmap I can work with.
Step 3
After stretching my 140lb. Arches watercolor paper I tape off the edges with masking tape to create a clean finish edge for the framer. I now do a light outline drawing on the paper with a 4H pencil to give myself some guidelines. I begin the painting with the sky using wet-into-wet painting technique.
Step 4
I use a series of transparent glazes as I build up the darks in the painting. Although the water is done mostly wet-into-wet I must be careful to leave white paper show through where the foreground ripples will be.
Step 5
I carefully paint the negative space in the water around the white swan, and finish the details in the water and the background.
Step 6
The finished painting of a Cottage in Tonbridge England.
