Watercolour Challenge 7 (Patreon)

Happy Tuesday everybody and welcome along to our new Patrons.

I loved seeing your misty landscapes, they really were fantastic! This week we are going to look at the textures of bark on a tree trunk as I used to find creating a realistic effect a bit of a challenge when starting out in tree painting. 

I have attached 4 images to this post as well as the video for you to download and have a look at alongside the video.

This is a private youtube link which only you sweet pea patrons have access to.

You will need

A range of brushes (including your largest and smallest)

Colours: I used French Ultramarine or Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Sap Green, Mars Black to create a range of grey/brown colours.

A few sheets of watercolour paper (cold pressed is my go-to).

jar of water

kitchen roll to blot the brush (particularly important in this challenge)

After/whilst watching the video...

1: Image 1, close up cracked bark. This is a dry brushing technique. Make sure you use your kitchen roll to blot the excess paint off the brush to make sure you achieve a dry brush technique

2: Image 2, birch trunk This is more about layering up wet, translucent colour and using the wetness to blend colour to create the dark notches on the trunk. We also have a look at how to paint spindly branches even with a large brush.

3: Image 3, broad gnarly oak tree trunk Making the most of unpainted space between the broad strokes to create a loose but recognisable oak stump.

4: Image 4, Straight pine trunk Using similar techniques to image one and now applying them to a full pin tree trunk.

Next week we are going to paint a tree in full so having a run through these different techniques is going to be so helpful. 

See if you can find more tree textures to apply your watercolour skills to in addition to these four.

I can't wait to see how you get on.

Comment below with your findings, and if you are sharing your work on Instagram, use the #dwpcchallenge and tag me @dewintonpaperco.

Have a wonderful week.

Harriet

xxx