Advancing with Watercolor: "From the Rooftops, NYC" Simplify Complexity with Patterns

THE PROJECT

HOW WOULD I PAINT THIS?

As an artist I look at the world a little differently - as though I were going to paint it. Urban scenes such as this one can be overwhelming and easily dismissed - but I feel the beginnings of a composition, and so I begin a process of design and contemplation.
In the videos and supporting documents I will demonstrate an approach to this scene which uses the graded wash and patterns to simplify the complexity

THE DRAWING

Drawing a subject usually reveals if there is a way to simplify the scene and still keep the essence. I start by defining a focal point - an area I want to carry the narrative and build out from that, developing the big shapes and then nesting the smaller shapes into those....

THE CHALLENGE

There are many challenges in this piece - one is to evoke some depth -
The second is to imply complexity without over doing it :) - an understanding and use of patterns will help us in the second

THE WATERCOLOR PLAN

After I complete a design I start to focus on the watercolor plan - or the steps and sequence that I will follow in creating the painting - in this case I will be relying and several graded washes to communicate the movement of light and shadow.
Lost and found edges to create the sense of rooftops and ledges and contrast to establish the light and focal area...
Included is a drill where we practice the technique of graded washes

THE DRILL

In the warm up we create a drill using graded washes of a single color and then two colors - we also create a small study of the buildings

MATERIALS

Colors: Yellow ochre, cad yellow light, burnt Sienna, ultramarine blue, lavender,, titanium white, Jaune brilliant

PAPER

I am using Saunders 140 rough and a stiff board for backing

and masking tape

BRUSH

Mop Brushes, a couple sizes of the Kingsart Sabelette round and Flat