A Sketchbook Practice: Watercolor Warm-Ups

I am delighted by your presence today!

Last month, I showed you a sketchbook exercise wherein we created our own color story.

We started by collecting things from nature.

We then used these hues to develop a color story.

These colors dictated the mood of a painting, which can eventually become patterns for items that we can use or sell commercially (ex. paper goods, fabric, packaging design).  

 

Today, I'll share another idea to turn a blank page from blah to TADA!

I learned this technique from Faith Evans-Sills, a painter, author and teacher. She taught a class at Sketchbook Revival a few years ago called "Watercolor Warm-ups: Gathering Color and Pattern Inspiration."

We'll start with a reference photo or magazine tear sheet (bottom left of the photo) to determine our color story.

Translate this on the blank page using watercolor.

When the paint is dry, add details with pens in different colors to bring in depth and contrast.

Let me show you my version of Faith's technique:

I used the colors from a catalog (right side of page): fruits in shades of green, yellow, and orange.

I added more paint and some pen marks.

What I made reminds me of washi tape. Maybe I can develop my own designs? That would be fun!

I hope you can use this technique when you're feeling a creative block or daunted by the blank page. Faith reminds us: "Inspiration can be found everywhere. It's always simmering in there if we tap into it. Stay open."

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