Fearless Friday, Close-up
This is a fun technique to try,
framing a part of your subject, sort of like a map inset,
and using color only on the framed area
and leaving the rest in black and white
It will work for any medium you want to use,
watercolor, colored pencils, marker, acrylic, oils
This was the photo I used for this drawing and painting
Pick a start point and draw the shape as your eye sees it
I began with the lowest flower and then added the others
using “artist’s license” to change placement and adjust shapes
Remember, it doesn’t have to be exact,
you just want to give the impression
of the flower or object you are drawing
You can always trace a photo if you’re not confident in drawing
Tracing is a great way to learn how shapes relate to each other
to form an object or person
I recommend tracing a photo first,
but then setting that aside and drawing it freehand
Just like everything, if you practice you will get better
After the completed pencil drawing,
I inked over it with a waterproof fine liner pen
I deliberately left the right side a little incomplete
so it would look like it was fading away
I drew a rectangle around the center area to be painted
and began adding washes of watercolor
If you look closely at the photos above and below
you can see a slightly dark area just to the right of the framed area~
I started painting a pink wash outside the frame
before I realized it…
It’s not as easy as you would think to just paint this one small area!
The paper to the right of my painting is a scrap paper
where I test colors and washes before adding them
A touch of blue indicates the sky behind the flowers
“Close-up” 7″ x 10″ watercolor and ink
So what do you think of this technique?
It can really add a lot of drama to a simple illustration of flowers
As always, I urge you try something new and have some fun!!
Be Fearless!
🎨 💐 ✎
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Love Your Creativity Over the Moon
Between Naps on the Porch, Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Make it Pretty Monday Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl
Turn About Tuesday Full Plate Thursday Centerpiece Wednesday
Thursday Favorite Things Creatively Crafty Creative Cumpulsions
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Jenna, what am interesting technique of framing part of your subject. I love that you are truly fearless in trying new methods. It is beautiful and the framed part really stands out and makes a statement. Happy Friday, looks like a rainy one.
Thank you Pam, I always appreciate your support! Have a wonderful weekend!
Jenna, this technique creates such a dramatic impact! I love florals, and the colors you chose are gorgeous! Happy Friday, sweet friend! Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks Shannon, flowers are my favorite things to paint 💐
I’ve never seen a portrait like this! I really do like it and your floral colors just pop off the paper! It’s quite lovely: almost like we’re getting a “secret peek” into a world underneath your watercolor paper pad! Thanks for sharing, Jenna.
Yes, it is like a secret peek! Thank you so much Rosie!
Love this technique.
Thank you, it’s lots of fun!
This is such a beautiful technique! It’s like a little window on the world.
Thanks Dorothy! It was fun to do!
That’s interesting, Jenna. II’m still not comfortable fully drawing but I like your instructions for that. YOu re right — practice matters!
Practice really does matter! This technique fascinated me, it’s amazing how the one small section of color really makes an impact!
Jenna
You are so talented Jenna! <3
Thanks Robin!
I love this technique! I saw something like this in a colored pencil book. I need to try it! I love the flowers
Thanks Ricki, it’s lots of fun but hard to stay inside the frame!!
Jenna, I’m not sure how to contact you. You have painted several sets of
Bloody Mary glasses for me. Do you still do that type of thing?
Love your fearlessness and creativity Jenna! Happy Weekend ♥
This is such an interesting technique Jenna. Love the creativity in your work…….Hope you have a good week leading into Labor Day weekend…….
Thanks Emily, this was fun to do
I love this idea! It’s really unique and beautiful.
Thank you Pam!
The inset really does create an interesting effect! Thanks for sharing with Creative Compulsions.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you Michelle!