"Brushes in Bloom": Watercolor and Colored Pencil Fusion
Create some of our go to painting essentials with a combination of watercolor and colored pencils
Course Summary
This radiant mixed-media piece showcases a jar filled with well-loved paintbrushes, brought to life through a thoughtful combination of watercolor washes and colored pencil detailing. The transparent watercolor layers establish the foundational colors and values, creating depth and softness. On top, the colored pencil layering adds saturation, texture, and fine details, turning a simple arrangement of brushes into a vibrant, dimensional artwork. This piece celebrates the beauty of everyday art supplies, inviting viewers into the creative process itself.
Techniques and Lessons for Students:
Layering with Watercolor and Colored Pencil:
The transparent watercolor underlayers provide a luminous base, ideal for building up subtle shifts in light and shadow. Colored pencils refine the piece with texture and enhance vibrancy, making each detail—like the brush bristles and metallic ferrules—stand out.
Balancing Texture and Transparency:
The contrast between the smooth watercolor transitions and the textured pencil strokes creates visual interest. The visible pencil grain on top of the soft washes adds realism and tactile appeal.
Rendering Reflections and Light:
The metallic sheen on the brush ferrules is achieved through precise highlights and careful use of cool tones. Soft shadows in the jar ground the brushes, giving the composition a sense of space and weight.
Creating Depth with Color and Value:
Transparent layering builds gradual value changes, making the jar and brushes feel three-dimensional. Colored pencils add pops of color and sharp edges for clarity and focus in key areas.
Engaging Subject Matter:
Featuring art supplies as the subject creates an inviting and relatable connection for artists and viewers alike.
Takeaways for Artists:
- Mixed-Media Mastery: Use watercolor for base layers and colored pencils for detailing to achieve depth and richness.
- Focus on Highlights: Small, well-placed highlights on reflective surfaces (like the metallic brush ferrules) bring energy and realism.
- Textural Contrast: Combine smooth and rough textures to engage the viewer’s eye.
- Celebrate Everyday Inspiration: Simple objects like art supplies can become powerful symbols of creativity and passion.
- Refinement with Pencils: Enhance your artwork’s precision and texture with colored pencil accents after the watercolor has dried.
Course Curriculum
Andrea Gianchiglia
