January 2009 Leisure Painter

If you followed my feature in the January 2009 issue of Leisure Painter magazine, you may have had a go at the still life project I set you. The idea in this feature is that you practice the step by step demonstrations then tackle the project, then look at how I've done it, but in this first feature I have included my finished painting in the magazine to get you started.
You will have found it much easier when you come to do your final project if you have done each of the objects separately and had a go at the techniques before embarking on an actual finished painting.
I gave you a photo to work from and asked you to use a limited palette and only paint for an hour (drying times not included) this means no tinkering!
This was how I did mine.
First of all, I used the jug in the photo, but moved the orange nearer the jug and added the lemon, rather like the previous study in the magazine, but just swapping the fruit around.
I loved the sunfowers but wanted to see more of the face on the left flower as well as inside the jug a little, so I altered my drawing, lifting one flower a little and turning the other.

Step 1

Once I was happy with the drawing, I began to paint. I kept the shapes really smple and used just two colours. I deliberately kept all of the shapes separate so that the colours didnt run, beginning with the flower heads.

Step 2
I started to create the background whilst the fruit were drying, working quick enough so that some of the watercolour ran (I like it when watercolour does this and I try and encourage the colours to flow gently into one another). Notice the complimentaries and how well they work?

Step 3
I add the cloth and shadows, letting some of the colour lift up onto the fruit.
This little painting is quite similar to one I did in my book 30 minute Watercolours. I have also added it to my site. To view the painting just click
TUITION then step by step painting projects its on that page.
Notice the similarities?

I hope you have been inspired to have a go at this project. The idea is, you do your own painting then have a look at how I did mine. If you are not very experienced and want to use my finished painting as a starting point thats fine. Good luck and most importantly - have fun!

Finished Painting 17cms x 18cms

January 2009 Leisure Painter If you followed my feature in the January 2009 issue of Leisure Painter magazine, you may have had a go at the still life project I set you. The idea in this feature is that you practice the step by step demonstrations then tackle the project, then look at how I've done it, but in this first feature I have included my finished painting in the magazine to get you started. You will have found it much easier when you come to do your final project if you have done each of the objects separately and had a go at the techniques before embarking on an actual finished painting. I gave you a photo to work from and asked you to use a limited palette and only paint for an hour (drying times not included) this means no tinkering! This was how I did mine. First of all, I used the jug in the photo, but moved the orange nearer the jug and added the lemon, rather like the previous study in the magazine, but just swapping the fruit around. I loved the sunfowers but wanted to see more of the face on the left flower as well as inside the jug a little, so I altered my drawing, lifting one flower a little and turning the other. Step 1 Once I was happy with the drawing, I began to paint. I kept the shapes really smple and used just two colours. I deliberately kept all of the shapes separate so that the colours didnt run, beginning with the flower heads. Step 2 I started to create the background whilst the fruit were drying, working quick enough so that some of the watercolour ran (I like it when watercolour does this and I try and encourage the colours to flow gently into one another). Notice the complimentaries and how well they work? Step 3 I add the cloth and shadows, letting some of the colour lift up onto the fruit. This little painting is quite similar to one I did in my book 30 minute Watercolours. I have also added it to my site. To view the painting just click TUITION then step by step painting projects its on that page. Notice the similarities? I hope you have been inspired to have a go at this project. The idea is, you do your own painting then have a look at how I did mine. If you are not very experienced and want to use my finished painting as a starting point thats fine. Good luck and most importantly - have fun! Finished Painting 17cms x 18cms

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