56 Watercolor artist | OCTOBER 2019
demo
A Swirl of Color
The strategic placement of complementary and analogous hues
adds a sense of vitality to the composition.Step 1
I used a 3H pencil to sketch the basic layout, ensuring the lines weren’t too
specific. I added masking fluid to save delicate linear areas and shapes
and then slowly began painting along and among the lines of the sketch.Step 3
I continued building up lines and shapes, observing how the primary
elements began to emerge from the secondary elements.Step 2
I sketched additional areas where necessary to
strengthen the composition. I then painted sections
around the nest, emphasizing balance of color.Toolkit
PAINTS- Pitts prefers different brands of
paint for different colors, which she
tracks in a notebook.
BRUSHES - The artist likes rounds, especially
Isabey. “There’s something about
the weight, the amount of paint
they can hold, the points, the
various sizes and shapes—I love
that brand,” she says. She’ll use
small brushes for details, but isn’t
afraid to use larger brushes. “I love
to pick up a big No. 12 and use just
the point of it. It changes the way
I paint, and it makes my work
fresher and more fun.”