Painting texture – lichen

Posted on May 21, 2012 by wendy

There are lots of ways of suggesting texture using watercolour without spending lots of time painting intricate detail...one of these is using salt. Salt sprinkled on wet paint will soak up the paint leaving a textured effect that is especially effective for snow and frost effects. However this time I used it to help paint lichen growing on a twig. These techniques do need some practice but are fun to try.

Sketch the twig and use a light wash to suggest an area of lichen. Sprinkle in salt while the paint is still wet and leave to dry.

When the salt has finished absorbing the paint brush off excess and paint the twig using wet into wet techniques.

Some detail can now be applied to the lichen using a rigger. Don't overdo it!!

Painting late flowering blossom

Posted on April 5, 2012 by wendy

I have recently had two articles about painting blossom published in the April and May editions of Leisure Painter magazine.
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Sketches in the Preselis June 2011

Posted on July 1, 2011 by wendy

These are some sketches I did whilst walking in the Preselis in Pembrokeshire.

Cottage in the Preselis

Carn Bica (possibly)

Simple snow scenes using a limited palette

Posted on February 13, 2011 by wendy

Below is the final step of a step by step snowscene demonstration I wrote for Leisure Painter magazine (March 2011). A limited palette of ultramarine blue and burnt sienna works well for this sort of scene. Remember to keep subject matter in the distance cooler and softer edged than in the foreground. Always try to simplify. I painted two further images using a similar palette and techniques. Images approx 10 x 7″.

Dinefwr Park- Article in Leisure Painter. March 2011

Snow shadows Dinefwr Park

In the Brecon Beacons

Salt effects in watercolour

Posted on January 14, 2011 by wendy

Salt can be used very effectively to give the effect of falling snow. It’s fun to do and the best results can always be turned into Christmas cards. Also it’s really good practice for working wet into wet.