Popping up to see you

Just popping up to see you!

I have developed below a simple step-by-step demonstration based on my painting shown in the watercolour section of this web page. These are free and you may print them off if you wish.

I suggest you read all the instructions before attempting the watercolour painting to familiarise yourself with each instruction, because watercolour painting is all about timing (If you see a clock face image; timing is essential here)

Click on the image for enlarged picture.

Where you see the clock symbol, read the instructions carefully, it’s all about the time?

Good luck with your painting and I hope these inspire you ?

Suggested colours and materials

Suggested colours, as follows:

To produce this watercolour painting I have used the following colours: - Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Ultramarine, Burnt Umber, Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Hooker’s Green, Alizarin Crimson, Lemon Yellow

To enable the artist to retain the white of the paper, we use the method of masking out. I used a ruling pen and masking fluid to mask out some highlights on the glass. A Brush can be used to apply the masking fluid but wash out straight away because it ruins the brush if left to dry.

Sketch the painting

Step 1

Start by sketching your image of the water and otter. Then using the masking fluid, mask out the whiskers and the face of the otter. (See image).leave to dry

Suggested brushes

Suggested brushes:

To produce this watercolour painting I used the following watercolour brushes: Large flat brush, medium flay brush, a large round brush and small detail brush.

Masking out the Otters' face and whiskers

Step 2

Then using the masking fluid, mask out the whiskers and the face of the otter. (See image).leave to dry

Painting the first layer of water

Step 3

Start by wetting the paper with the large flat brush. Taking care that the masking fluid is total dried. Then with the medium flat brush paint the water shapes using the three blues, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue and Ultramarine then add in some hooker’s green, lemon yellow and burnt umber for the otter’s body, leaving some white of the paper for water highlights. (See image for further details)

Painting darker tones of the water - surface

Step 5

Once dry add the darker tones using the same colours but also adding purple shadow colour, by mixing Ultramarine and Alizarin Crimson, mainly over the otters body (See image) leave to dry

Painting more detail on the water surface

Step 4

Now the under painting is done, we are going to add the more of the next value of colours. This is done by using the same colours mixed in the previous step (2) (See image for further details) Leave to dry.

Painting the face

Step 6

Once the watercolour dries, peel off the masking fluid. Next is the otters face, with a pale wash of burnt sienna and raw sienna paint in the otter face, making sure to avoid the whites of the otters cheeks.(see image)

Painting the fur

Step 7

Now we are going to paint the darker tones of the otters’ fur, using mixes of burnt sienna and ultramarine, place the brush marks in the direction of the otters' fur, where it naturally falls (see image)

Painting the nose

Step 8

Using a mixer of ultramarine and burnt umber, produce a lovely grey mix. Use this mixer to paint the nose. Add the nostrils and also some extra whiskers in darker mixer of the same colour. (See image)

Painting the eyes

Step 9

Last step is the Otters eyes. You may want to mask out the highlights before doing the next step. Firstly paint a under coat of Burnt sienna then while damp add in the Ultramarine and burnt umber. You can pull out some of the highlights with a damp brush. Take your time here or even practice on a spare paper first. The eyes can make or break your painting.

Painting the finishing touches

Step 10

Finishing the painting you can add more details, for example – some extra detail in the water or dry brush marks for more detail in the fur etc. Once you have completed all stages, stand back and admire your lovely painting. Hope you have enjoyed?