80 Beginner | TECHNIQUES
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Here, different aids were used to convey
the variety of lines, from the corrugated
iron to the telegraph poles that are so
integral to the composition.
Straight edges
PAINTING AN EVEN LINE
Almost all man-made elements in a subject will
have some straight lines. Surprisingly, these do not
necessarily need to be painted perfectly straight.
Variety in the line is always preferable, but there are
some subjects, such as telegraph poles, where bends
will look incongruous. There are a few ways to help
keep lines straight without a ruler, so that they look
like a natural part of the painting process.
Aids for achieving natural lines
Painting a freehand straight line does not often come easy, but you
can employ various tools, either from your painting kit or made
from materials close at hand, to help you achieve a natural line.
To make the line appear painterly rather than graphic, vary the
pressure to adapt the line’s width and solidity.
2
Brush lines
Continue with the at brush to ll in the
buildings, using the edge for corrugations
and planks. Vary the line width and color,
using a variety of blues, browns, and grays.
1
Background wash
Paint the background vegetation using
the at brush and a French ultramarine and
cadmium yellow mix. Vary the mix as you
paint. Use the edge of the brush to create
the squared edges of negative roof shapes.
Swordliner
Gently lie the
curved “blade” of
the brush on the
paper, then lightly
draw it down.
Maulstick
Use a straight edge
or maulstick as a
guide; draw down
with the ferrule
against the stick.
Card
Paint the edge of a
credit card or mat
board with a slightly
stronger mix and
stamp or drag.
Flat brush
Chisel edges will
create a variety of
lines; stamp gently
for a ne line, drag
for a thicker line.
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81 Straight edges
Street view, St. Lucia
3
Assisted lines
Use the maulstick or the edge of some
mat board to create the poles, using a
variety of darker mixes. Cut the mat board
to different lengths and drag it sideways
to broaden the line for the wider poles.
4
Fine lines
With a strong shadow mix, apply ner
lines with a credit card for the corrugated
sheets and straight cables. Use a ruling pen
(see pp.20–21) for the slightly curved lines.
1 in (25 mm) soft-hair
at brush
No. 10 soft-hair round brush
1
⁄4 in (6 mm) swordliner brush
Ruling pen
Mount card or maulstick,
and credit card
10 x 14 in (25 x 35 cm)
cold press 140 lb (300 gsm)
watercolor paper
You will need
French
ultramarine
Burnt sienna
Cadmium
yellow
Cadmium red
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