Helen Wigley
Artist
Phoenix Rooster
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
Good luck with your painting and I hope these inspire you ?
Phoenix Rooster
Suggested colours:
Raw Sienna, Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine, Prussian blue, Cadmium yellow, Cadmium orange and Cerulean.
Suggested brushes:
Large round, Medium round, Mop brush and detail brush.
Other materials:
Masking fluid
Step 1
Sketch the Rooster onto watercolour paper (Here I have used 140lb).
Step 2
Mask out the rooster eye, using the masking fluid, leave to dry.
Step 3
Wet the paper with Mop brush; leave for a few minutes. Then using the colours, Alizarin Crimson, Burnt sienna, Cerulean, Prussian blue, Ultramarine and a mix of Ultramarine and Alizarin crimson to create mauve, drop all the colours onto the paper, allowing the colours to blend into each other. This can be aided by using the tip of the brush to push the colour to the areas which need some persuasion. Leave the paint to dry fully.
Step 4
Assess the painting to see if there are any areas which look a bit flat. If this is the case, don’t worry, we are going to add dark colours on top of the original colour placed in step 3.
Again wet the paper and allow the colours to run into each other. Then when the paper is damp take a pallet knife to scrape away the damp paint to reveal the colours underneath.
Step 5
Using a small detail brush add more Alizarin crimson to the rooster comb to create form. For the beak add wet onto dry with a small detail brush Cadmium Yellow and Ultramarine.
Step 6
The rooster eye (Iris) is made up with the colours Cadmium yellow and Cadmium Orange, place the Cadmium yellow first wet on dry. Then around the edge add the cadmium orange. For the Pupil of eye add a mix of Ultramarine and Burnt Sienna. Leave a small white square for the highlight.
Step 7
You have now finished the painting; you may want to add more details etc…
Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and are happy with the end result.
