Build WORKSHOP
STEP 2
Wet the areas surrounding the yellow paint. Dip a small
brush into High Flow turquoise phthalo to add more color.
Wherever the yellow paint is still wet, the colors will
comingle, creating green. Use a small brush to make lines,
and rotate the board to allow drips. This creates additional
visual interest on which to build a composition.STEP 3
While the turquoise phthalo is still wet, use an angle
brush to move the wet paint around the surface of the
board so that there’s an even distribution of yellow, green
and blue areas. If you need more green areas, add yellow
paint with a wet brush. Note: I often use steps 1 through
3 to start a composition. The colors can vary; just keep in
mind what will happen when they get together.STEP 1
With your canvas turned horizontally, wet two or
three areas with plain water, using a sponge or
spray bottle. Drop in a few spots of High Flow nickel
azo yellow to each of the wet areas and let the
paint flow. If the paint needs encouragement to
spread, push the edges of the color with a wet
brush. Let the paint dry for a few minutes.STEP 4
With a No. 2 pencil, sketch a composition of simple
shapes and lines, taking advantage of the colored areas.
The drops of High Flow paint make natural flower centers.
I placed compositional elements at different heights on
the picture plane, creating a lushness reminiscent of
a wild garden filled with stems, vines and blossoms. This
is a rough sketch, so there’s no need for detail.34 Artists Magazine May 2019