Land’s End Cliffs: a step-by-step guide
Combining white gouache with watercolour allows for complex layering.
Before I start a painting I need to be happy
with the composition, so I loosely draw an
outline sketch in pencil until I feel I have the
right balance and proportions on the paper.
For this demonstration I was working from
a sketchbook, but I will more usually
work outside on location.Contrary to more traditional watercolour
technique, I will often start with some bold, dark
and more intense colour to get the paper covered
and the painting moving. Remember at this early
stage the contrast with the pure white of the
paper will seem extreme, but this will be put into
context as the painting develops.As the first washes are drying, I will sometimes
turn the brush around and use the other end to
draw back into the paint, either pushing the wet
paint around over the paper or scratching
into areas that are nearly dry.Step 1. The sketch
Step 2
Step 3
Bold, dark colours
look harsh to start
with, but soften
as the painting
develops.I use a lot more paint
than many other
watercolour painters,
to get the richness
of colour.