New Artist - 2016__

Summer Veranda: a step-by-step guide

Lucy‘s technique captures the striking patterns of shadows cast by strong sunlight.

Lightly mark

out the delicate

leaf patterns

Step 1

Step 3

Step 2. Adding shadows

Step 4

Next I mixed a neutral grey colour so that I could pin down the

shadows on the ground, then moved across the picture building up

detail in a loose but controlled way, still taking care not to paint over

my brightest areas. Before applying the intensely dark trees I made

marks to position the figure and then painted carefully around her

head, giving a crisp edge to the sunlit form.

Finally, I toned down the white wooden structure on the far right so

that it appeared to be in shadow, and also all the foreground plants

beneath it to enhance the effect of the sunlight on the paving stones.

A little extra detail on the dark trees also increased the contrast with

the translucent green creepers in front.

I began by building up a series of markers all over the surface so that I
had the idea of the composition in place before committing to larger
shapes. I used the point of my large brush, dipped into a variety of
greens, greys and pinks, to lightly and rapidly plot the filigree of leaf
shapes that would gradually build up as the painting progressed.

Never losing sight of the parts of the painting I wanted to keep white,
I gradually filled the spaces. On the foliage I used mostly dabs and
small broken brush strokes so that a sparkle of light would remain
on many of the leaves.

This extract is taken from Sunlight & Shadows in Watercolour by Lucy Willis, published

by Batsford. Readers can buy a copy (RRP £19.99) for only £16 including free UK p&p.

Call 0844 576 8122 and quote offer code CH1953. For details: http://www.pavilionbooks.com

Sunlight & Shadows

Watercolour light and shade

ARTWORK:

AGIA TRIADA, CRETE, GREECE AND GARDEN BENCH IN SNOW