Fearless Friday, Watercolor Elephant
Here we are, day 29 of World Watercolor Month 2022
2 days to go!
I have had a lot of fun this month,
pushing myself away from the usual things I paint
and trying new things
This elephant was definitely different and was so much fun,
exaggerated colors, dramatic splatter…
Here are the inspiration photos I used
I drew my elephant from the Pixabay photo on the left,
then I painted it in the style of the painting on the right
I started with a pencil sketch,
and remember if you’re not comfortable
drawing your subject free hand,
you can trace a photo and then transfer it
to your painting surface with carbon paper
When I was pleased with the sketch
I went over it with a waterproof fine liner pen
You can download a printable to paint here
Now the fun begins!
I started with dark areas with
Daniel Smith extra fine watercolor Neutral Tint
Then I began to add shades of
Daniel Smith extra fine watercolors Quinacridone Purple
I also used
Daniel Smith extra fine watercolors Ultramarine Blue washes
Next some drama with
Daniel Smith extra fine watercolors Yellow Ochre
Now to finish with a little splatter~
To splatter a painting,
load a brush with the color you want to splatter
{the size of the brush will determine the size of the dots}
Hold a piece of something hard horizontally over the painting
like an old credit card, a plate, I use the lid of my small tin palette
Hold it below the area you want to splatter
Tap the edge sharply with your brush handle
and the paint will splatter
Practice on scrap paper first to get the hang of it
If you wet your paper, the splatter will bleed,
forming larger areas of color
I used a lot of water around the legs
to create sort of a dust cloud
“Pride” 8′ x 9″ watercolor and ink on mixed media paper
Have fun and
Be Fearless!
Note: I do not receive any compensation for the product links, I am just sharing a source for a product I use and recommend
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado/ Love Your Creativity
What’s for Dinner/ Between Naps on the Porch
All About Home/ Common Ground & Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Oh My Heartsie Girl / Turn About Tuesday
Karin’s Cottage Linky Party / Creative Crafts / Crafty Creators
Full Plate Thursday/ Creatively Crafty/ Thursday Favorite Things
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I didn’t expect to see an elephant today!
haha, it was fun to paint!
I love your elephant Jenna! You are so talented and I have learned so much from you. Hugs my friend
Thanks so much Kari, I hope you’re having a wonderful summer!
This is wonderful, Jenna. I love Daniel Smith neutral. As much, maybe more, as Payne’s Gray. The purple is great. I’ve been fiddling with colorful animals just for sport but you maxed this one out. Thanks for the spattering tip with the credit card — I spatter a lot but never tried that! Seems like it might be a bit more control.
I did have a lot of fun with this one, using colors I wouldn’t usually choose, and going wild with the splatter!
That’s the cutest elephant that I have ever seen. You are an talented artist, Jenna.
Thanks so much Angie!
Wow, Jenna! That’s beautiful! Really nice detail and color!
Thanks so much Rita, I hope you’re not having any flooding issues…
Jenna, I do love the elephant! The colors are fantastic! Now you can do one with Alabama (Roll Tide) colors. It will be football season soon. Happy weekend to you!
Haha, yes football season is almost here!
Fanciful, dramatic, and fearless–I love your elephant, Jenna!
Thanks so much Linda!
Jenna, I love the purple and grays you chose for your watercolor elephant! I always love when you add your signature splatter effect! ♥
Thank you Mary, I do love a little splatter 🙂
Fabulous colors!
Thanks, it was a fun one!
Intriguing colors!
Thank you!
What a beautiful elephant! Your talent constantly amazes me!
Aw, thank you Nancy, I had a lot of fun with the elephant 🙂
I absolutely love this picture!! Bravo!!
Thanks so much Rosie!
this is amazing! pinned
Thank you Sue!