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Monday, January 19, 2009

Watercolor Sketch - Landscape Gestures

Watercolor Sketches - Landscape Gestures
Watercolor, pencil, and ink on Strathmore Gemini 140-lb CP paper in handmade sketchbook. 7.5" x 11" (19 x 28 cm).

Had to travel over the weekend, so I sat in the passenger seat and sketched some landscapes. I did these sketches quickly by getting an overall sense of a scene then quickly sketching it in pencil; I then completed the panels with watercolor and added ink details after the paint dried. While sketching, I made color notes so I could record the approximate hues I sensed. As you can see, I was only able to complete three of four panels.

I've seen this technique done by others and I've always wanted to try this. Besides being fun, it allowed me to get in some sketching and painting during a trip where I didn't think I'd be able to paint. Even though I painted this while riding in a car, I count this as plein air work since I had to work quickly under rapidly changing late-evening lighting conditions.

Each panel is about the size of an index card, approximately 2.75" x 4.75" (7 x 12 cm). Painted using my homemade sketch box and a small Niji Waterbrush.

There's more stuff on Flickr