http://www.painters-online.co.uk artistMarch 2020 59
PRACTICAL
TApens and watercolour or gouache.
Use whatever medium works best
for you.
With practice you’ll fi nd that
painting fi gures becomes easier and
easier. By focusing on shape rather
than exact representation you can
use fl uid brushstrokes to indicate
form, allowing your people to come
alive. Practise with single fi gures
and then build your community by
adding additional people, standing
in groups, soon you’ll fi nd them
walking, talking, and telling stories
you and your viewers can’t wait to
hear.
GRID EXERCISE
I recommend that you prepare an
11 14in paper and grid it into fourths.
Practise painting people in each grid.
Start with one grid and then work
your way around all four, capturing
the energy of the people in your
favourite scene – perhaps a restaurant,
co ee shop or pub. Have fun with this
practice! I have incorporated an unexpected
and fun colour in this experimental
sketchbook page, 10 16in
(25.5 40.5cm)
Steve Griggs
lives in Denver,
Colorado. He is a
signature member
of the Colorado
Watercolor Society and
the Rocky Mountain
National Watermedia
Society. He is
represented by the
Mirada Fine Art Gallery
in Indian Hills, Colorado, South Wind
Gallery in Topeka, Kansas and Twisted Fish
Gallery in Elk Rapids, Michigan. Steve will
be tutoring with Alpha Painting Holidays
from May 18 to 21, painting Wells Cathedral
and the Somerset countryside. For details
see http://www.alphapaintingholidays.com
https://stevegriggswatercolor.com