This entry was originally posted on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Drawing for Autumn’s Bounty
Today’s Sunday Secrets is a question that I was asked a couple of times during my studio tour concerning my poured watercolors.
The question is:
How do you know where to put your masking fluid?
That is a very good question.
I first draw out what I am going to paint.
I make sure this drawing is dark.
Usually you draw with a light pencil line but for pours, you need the pencil lines dark.
This is because when you wet the paper and add layer upon layer of paint, the pencil line starts to fade.
If it isn’t dark enough, that pencil line disappears by the time you want to mask for the last couple of pours.
Then using my black and white photograph, I determine which values I want to save with my masking fluid.
I start by saving the lightest value, which is white.
I apply the masking fluid to the white paper before I apply a pour of paint.
Once the first pour has dried, I again look at my black & white photo and figure out what the next value is that I want to save.
Then I apply the mask to that value and pour again.
I continue to build up the layers of masking fluid and paint until I am left with the darkest areas.
Finally I remove the mask and viola!
I have my painting!
