This demonstration had two components in the lesson the first was the concept of contrast and the second was using a rigger to create wonderful textures. All successful paintings are build on contrasts: contrast of value, color, shape, size, line and every element of design. This means contrast warm against cool, dark against light, soft against hard and right down the line. I used a really cool grey flat background and used warm more vibrant tones applied with very active brushwork to contrast in the foreground. I used a 1.5 inch flat for the background and painted the rest of the painting using a small no. 6 rigger to paint trees and foliage and weeds. I think this is a fun exercise and loosens up your painting by using an unconventional brush.
12 x16 watercolor on 300lb paper
image for the painting and as you can see I really played with the colors.
Thanks for posting this Steve-a very useful technique for this kind of light without making the whole painting dark and murky!
Thanks Pat, It is the goal to avoid dark and murky, so much of it revolves around how you apply the paint, Direct purposeful brushwork will keep your colors from looking flat and uninteresting.
It is a fantastic demonstration, and, the concept of contrast is very clear, including the BRUSHSTROKE CONTRAST between the background with the foreground one! A simply wonderful watercolor, from a gray and little expressive image. Authentic magic! Thank you very much Steve. Respectfully Mercedes.