Arlene Wright-Correll

“The Anatomy of a Watercolor Painting©”.



Posted: Friday, January 22, 2010

by Arlene Wright-Correll
http://www.learn-america.com

I keep saying that anyone can create art and all it takes is knowing a few simple techniques. There is no great mystery to it and one really does not have to think they need great talent. One just needs to enjoy the few hours one spends creating a picture in any kind of medium.

With that in mind I will use today's painting as the subject matter and took pictures of it as I went along creating "Remains of the Day"

Step 1 is sketching the subject that is to be painted. If you cannot sketch or draw then do not worry. You can do what many other artists do to get what they want on their paper or canvas. Take a photo of your subject or cut out a picture you like. Use a piece of artist transfer paper and simply lay the transfer paper on your canvas or watercolor paper, put the photo on top and using a stylus or a pointed pencil trace an outline of the photo onto your paper. There is no need to put in a lot of details.

Or you can do what some artists do they project their photo unto their paper with a small projector.

Or you can grid it out and that can be done by creating a line grid on your photo and a similar one either larger or smaller on your paper and then sort of connect the dots on your paper.



Step 2 is painting in the shadows. This is done by mixing a watercolor wash of Alizarin Crimson and Phalo Green. If you are working with a photo and you have printed it down in color you may want to have your photo program create a copy of the colored photo using your remove color button and you will now have a black and white photo that defines the shadows in great detail. Once your shadows have dried you can move on to the next step. I like to keep an old hair dryer in my studio to speed things up.



Step 3 is painting in the background and this is my personal preference as it makes it easier for me to control my painting. At this point you must realize that it may take several layers to create your background. In this painting my background consisted of barn boards and they were large areas so I had to use my little old hair dryer in order to speed up what I was doing. Never put new layers of watercolor paint on wet ones or you will start to get a muddy painting.







Step 4 is to find an area of the painting I want to work in and I work that part until I have it complete. In this case it was the rocking chair. Again this took several layers of colors it also required working with fine brushes.



Step 5 was to work on the next area and for me it was the creel on the chair.



Step 6 was to work on the plaid shirt in the background because I want to keep working towards the front of my painting.



Step 7 was to work on the vest again remembering that this took several layers of paint and here is where your hair dryer comes in handy in order to speed things up.



Step 8 was to work on the boots and the first boot I worked on was the one behind the darker boot. This way I was able to control my shadows and to keep working towards the fore front of my painting of one of the focal points. It was also the time I worked on the one leaf that is to the left of the boots.



Step 9 is to decide whether or not one's painting is finished and at this step I considered mine finished and I signed and dated it, put a next to the date and put my red signature "chop" on it. I feel one should always sign and date their work. Dating a work lets you see whether you have improved or created a "style" over the years. It is also important in case you want to enter your professional or amateur art work into any exhibition or shows.



Step 10 is to give your work a "title" such as "Remains of the Day" for this painting or even the word "untitled"

Step 11 is to save a copy of my work on my computer and I do this for several reasons. I like to make a post card of everything I do and keep it in my little albums. Since I consider myself a professional artist that sells her work on the internet I need to size my photo to fit the acceptance of the various galleries.

Step 12 Mat and Frame your painting should you wish to.



So here is the final painting which is a 12" x 14" Gouache watercolor painting that I have matted and framed and hopefully sell.



Here is the final painting which is a 12" x 14" Gouache watercolor painting that I have matted and framed and hopefully sell.

P.S. Here is what my working station looks like. I use a butcher's tray and sometimes I do not clean it for months. I get some interesting colors.



So here we are and in only 9 easy steps we have completed a painting and you can do it also. The remaining steps are up to you as it is just something I recommend a painter do. Should you wish to learn more then come to one of Avalon Stained Glass School & Creativity Center and take one of my watercolor workshops for your next learning vacation. You will have a grand time.

"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime may your day be filled with

Peace, Light and Love,

Arlene Wright-Correll

About the Author & Artist. Arlene Wright-Correll (1935- ___), popular American award winning Artist, published author, columnist, & is the resident art instructor for Avalon Stained Glass School, at the age of 68, decided to pick up her paint brushes again after 54 years and paint.  She is a cancer and stroke survivor who is able to strive forward each and everyday to welcome the beauty of this small planet.  She also is a China & Porcelain painter, Sandblasting & Etching, Stained Glass & fused glass Artisan. She is one of the six KY Artists who worked 6 months to create the dolls for Journey Jots in 2006 and a Smithsonian Institute art exhibit in 2008. Her published books can be found here . She is also a featured writer for GreenThumbArticles.com and teaches Art Vacation Holidays at Avalon Stained Glass School and Creativity Center.

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