62 Beginner | TECHNIQUES
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
A strong rst wash sets the tone
to capture the warmth and light
of this subject. A limited palette
of dominant reds with cool
blues creates simple contrasts,
so that just a few shapes and
tones are needed.
Alla prima
COMPLETING A PAINTING IN ONE SESSION
Sometimes you will want to capture an impression of a scene in one session,
known as alla prima. It is a great discipline, encouraging you to be organized,
to nd the essence of your subject through simplication, and to mix and use
colors economically. Aim to capture just enough light and color information
about the subject quickly, using as few brushstrokes as possible.
Shutters and blinds
No. 14 and no. 8 soft-hair
round brushes
6 x 10 in (15 x 25 cm) cold press
140 lb (300 gsm) watercolor paper
You will need
1
Base sketch
Simplify the composition in a quick
sketch, noting the main areas of shadow
and outlining the whites that you want to
retain, here the white blinds. The dened
shapes of the cast shadows create the
darkest tones: sketch these in so that
they can be lled with a dark wash later
to give instant depth.
2
First at wash
Start with a vibrant rst wash, mixing
alizarin and cadmium yellow deep to
establish the tone for the painting. Apply
as a strong, at wash around the window
shapes, using burnt umber as an
underlay for areas of darker shadow.
Complementary contrasts
add an instant sense of depth
Cobalt blue
Cadmium red
Burnt umber
French
ultramarine
Alizarin
crimson
Viridian
Cadmium
yellow deep
US_062-063_Alla_Prima.indd 62 02/04/2020 3:33pm
63 Alla prima
3
Second washes
Decide which washes can merge
without loss of control. Continue with
warm colors that will harmonize with
the rst wash, adding red and neutral
earth colors to the shadow areas.
4
Calligraphic marks
When the second washes are dry,
add minimal marks to convey details.
Focus on the white blinds, using thin,
calligraphic lines for the shutters, with
just a few shadows on the perimeter.
Wait to add the pale viridian wash for the
shutters until the warm, second washes are
almost dry, to avoid them merging together
Some wet-in-wet merging
adds to the sketchy theme
Use rich colors for simple,
calligraphic marks
Checklist for working alla prima
Simplify the composition: Speed up your observational skills
and look for shapes rather than objects. Edit peripheral details.
Choose a limited palette: Include a dominant color for the
majority of the composition, with mid and dark tones sharing
values; subdue other colors.
Plan whites: Retain the white of the paper for lights and
highlights.
Limit darks: Keep dark areas to a minimum, they will have more
impact and you only need to strengthen existing washes.
Plan blends: Consider which washes can merge wet-in-wet and
which ones need to be kept separate.
PLANNING AHEAD
Lightweight unstretched paper is ideal to use as
it dries quickly. Plan your progress beforehand
and follow a checklist (right) before putting
paint to paper. You will need to wait for washes
to dry so keep them to a minimum, breaking the
timing down as follows: 5 minutes to apply the
rst wash, wait 10 minutes; 15 minutes for
second and nal washes; dry for 5 minutes then
add ne details. Don’t be tempted to overwork.
US_062-063_Alla_Prima.indd 63 02/04/2020 3:33pm
Wet-in-wet
See pp.52–55
Watching new tones emerge
where two washes meet—in
this case, when yellow and
blue combine to create
green—is an exciting aspect
of painting wet-in-wet.
Lifting out
See pp.82–83
The ethereal merging of the
trees into the background
was created by adding water
to the black paint in those
areas, then using a cloth to
remove the color entirely.
Balanced composition
See pp.110–113
Simple compositions are
often the most successful;
the diagonal swathe of white
running down the center of
this painting anchors the
markings either side.
Artist Rod Craig
Title Spirit of Eden
Paper 13 x 21 in (33 x 54 cm) rough
140 lb (300 gsm) watercolor paper
US_064-065_Abstract_showcase_Rod_Craig.indd 64 02/04/2020 3:33pm
..................Content has been hidden....................
You can't read the all page of ebook, please click here login for view all page.