My newest creation ..

'Marsh Breeze', is a watercolor in black and white. The mediums I decided to use for this one will stay within those strict lines of black and white values.

I Was Out For A Drive ..

On Friday, early evening, heading for dinner. We drove past a few of my favorite spots where the road overlooks vast stances of marsh or back bay. I took the mental photo and on Saturday morning decided to paint this small scene measuring roughly 5 inches by 7 inches.

Lets Walk Through This One ...

The Items That I Used ..

I grabbed a basic few things for this painting. My pad (which I use for support), a ruler, water, miscellaneous rags, pallet knife, brush (only one), Titanium White oil paint, Ivory Black #67 Derwent Watercolor pencil, and a piece of watercolor paper (Artist's Loft 300g/m2). Hmmm..Yup that's about it. NO WAIT!! COFFEE. I forgot the coffee :-/

I Grabbed The Ruler ..

and struck a horizon line across the bottom portion of the paper using the watercolor pencil. I used the 1/3 rule here. I set the horizon line 1/3 up from the bottom of the paper. The idea is the lower the horizon line (where the sky meets the land) the farther away it would appear your standing from the scene captured. I use light pressure when striking this line just in case I need to move things.

Next I Lay The Basics ..

By tracing in a few key subjects. For example, in this particular painting .. the trees, clouds, bodies of water, yada yada. Sometimes I stick pretty much with what I place down here. Other times the finished painting looks nothing like what I started sketching in. As long as I'm not left rubbing and scratching my head, I'm cool with it.

Applying The First Bit Of Water ..

Will now be laying the foundation for the rest of the painting. This is where I usually make my biggest swing in direction if there is such a swing. I want to reiterate something I mentioned in a past post.. It's important to remember when using these watercolor pencils, to allow the paper to completely dry before applying more pencil color. If you don't then it almost dissolves the watercolor of the pencil and you'll end up with a thick blotch of color that is extremely hard to disburse. The one drawback to these pencils I suppose.

Moving Along Now ..

There's no turning back now. I'm invested. So I'll drop a few progress photos in here. There's not too much to explain with them other than I am adding in darker shades as layers as I move along. I like to place the values in slowly because it is extremely hard to lighten an area after you apply to much. Working in layers works best for me. I am trying at this point to represent all subject items in the painting the best I can without getting too picky about how realistic they look. I am wanting it really to be a representation or idea of the subject so as your mind will fill in the blanks. Sound like BS?? Yea..Probably is for the most part.

Nearing The End ..

Of this painting. It was meant to be a quick 2 hr painting. I let the over all painting dry up a bit, but in this case I was ready to wrap it up. I broke out the hair dryer and baked the sucker for a few minutes to draw out the moisture left in the paper. After I knew it was good and dry, I put the final layers of black in. I have to eventually be satisfied with what I have, otherwise this step could last for years (and has in some cases..lol). Here are those final shading touch up's using the watercolor pencil..

Now For The Unique Part ..

(I guess) I wanted to try using a little Titanium White oil paint for feathering in and highlighting a few areas. I suppose you could use acrylics for this step (and it may be better that way - both water based) but I had readily available and at hand the oil paint. It works fine once the watercolor is dry. I dabbed a few spots in within the clouds and on the surface of the water. NOT MUCH at all. Just a little to get the desired affect.

Time For A Signature ..

I use a fine point sharpie and get that signature on it before I change my mind and alter something. I placed it in a frame in order to give you the idea of what it may look like when I am truly finished. SORRY :-( that the inner mat trim dosn't match. I was too lazy to go hunt down the right one. :-/ I will eventually take this out doors and put a protective seal on it using a fixative. I wait till I have a few completed and hit them all at once.

The Finished Painting ..

'Marsh Breeze'

Recap ..

If Your Interested In Purchasing Any Of My Work:

This painting (Eventually) along with other works can be found for sale in my Facebook Shop: https://www.facebook.com/pg/BDMillerGallery/shop

Make me an offer (in SBD) in the comments section of this post. I will consider all offers.

If we agree on a price, you can transfer the SBD to my wallet. I will then ship the painting to you. (shipping costs will be determined by your location and also payable in SBD).

Thank you for swinging by my blog and checking out the post. Have a great day!

;-)

Marsh Breeze ~ A NJ Marsh Scene Watercolor Start To Finish (Black & White)