by Lee Gordon Seebach
Chinese White
"What the heck is that?" you may well ask. Good question!
Here's the answer: It is a semi-opaque watercolor white (actually Zinc white). It can be mixed with transparent watercolor to achieve various colors and degrees of opacity. I used it here to illustrate the spines on the cactus with a brush called a "rigger." The hair of this brush is long, thin, and does not taper to a fine point. Therefore, it holds a fair amount of pigment and is capable of creating nice, long lines. It's also a very fun brush to use and it's very, very easy to get carried away with it. Painting in the lines on this picture, I was dangerously close to doing just that!
Lifting
There's another technique I used here. It's called "lifting." This is accomplished by using a "flat" brush, which has a squared end (like a housepainter's brush only much smaller). Using a flat that is damp, it is applied edge-on to the paper on a painted, dried area and then run along the paper sideways. This re-wets the pigment and soaks it up into the brush, like a sponge, creating a lighter, long, soft-edged line. Hmmm...I hope that makes sense...maybe it requires a video demonstration. But I think you get the idea.
I hope you enjoyed seeing this watercolor and learning a bit about how us mysterious artist-types create our nice pictures.
Have a stupendous day, wherever you are on our beautiful planet! 😀 ☮️ ❤️
My website: Seebach Fine Art
Having seen the version in ink a couple of days ago, I think this version is great to. Especially the "glazing" of the colors.
I very much enjoy looking at your work!
You're very kind @rolf-bakker ! I appreciate it!!
I like the colors in this piece of art. Thanks for sharing
@dim753 Glad you like it. Thanks for commenting.
You're welcome chess, i like your art you have a great talent
Your paintings are always full of such vibrancy and movement. Absolutely lovely. I am in awe of watercolor paintings since there is so little room for error, at least with oils you can paint over any mistakes.
@whistlejacket Nice of you to say so. Yes, watercolors are a challenge alright. It's been called "the master's medium" for that reason.
I hate captus, because the look like dangerous and too much pins :P
I don't think you'd like the desert much, then. 😉
Gorgeous painting yet again, haha! Thanks for sharing these interesting techniques with us, by the way!
@deadspace Thank you and you're welcome. Steemit is a great place to post my images and info.
tasty spikes :)
Ha ha...fun to paint! @liberate
Didn't even know that "rigger" or "lifting" exist in our world.
Oh well you learn everyday.
Another day older and another day wiser! @yaan Thanks for commenting.
Cactus ! !
Very Nicely Painted Sir.
Thank you my friend @being-human I've spent a lot of time in the desert!
"This re-wets the pigment and soaks it up into the brush, like a sponge, creating a lighter, long, soft-edged line" had no idea of techniques like that!
Pretty cool, huh? LOL Thanks for commenting. @steemboys
Youre welcome, and yeah finally half of your upvote power :)
Welcome to Steemit...looks like you have an interesting blog started...followed!
Good to see again excellent art
Thanks bro @sapan
very nice
@mixed thank you