Naturalistic Illustration in Watercolor and Gouache

Naturalistic Illustration in Watercolor and Gouache

“Thank you so much for taking this course. I hope you had fun and learned a lot. The techniques I showed you are things I always use when creating my artwork, but you can adapt them to make them all yours. Now it's your turn to create a detailed watercolour and gouache painting of an insect and botanical element. Let me show you an example of what I would like to see in your presentation: Selecting references Select a plant you can access, and take photos of it from different angles. Choose an insect which complements your plant. Sketch thumbnail compositions- It will help if you sketch out different angles of your chosen plant’s leaves, flowers, buds and insects to build a library for yourself to reference. Using these roughly, draw some thumbnail sketches of different potential compositions. Remember to try to find balance.

Once you are happy with your composition, you can practice mixing a colour scheme and test your colour combinations in your sketchbook. The Painting Tap paper to the artboard, using an unlaminated piece of wood slightly more significant than the paper and making washi tape to keep it flat and to stop warping. Drawing out your chosen composition, draw lightly and use a putty rubber to rub out until it faint. Then, painting in the first flat wash to every element, starting with the lightest parts. Creating form and shape by building up paint layers with washes, a mixture of wet on dry and dry on wet. Details Painting in detail, using thin brushes and tight brushwork using a mixture of techniques like stippling and linework.. Final touches Final touches, cleaning up edges, softening harsh lines, checking everything is crisp and overlapping in the correct areas. . Share your project on the forum by clicking the "Create your project" button. I'll look at your publications as soon as possible and answer any doubts that need clarification. In the meantime, I encourage you to see what your fellow students have been up to and comment on their posts! See you soon!”

Partial transcription of the video

“ Final Project Congratulations. You have reached the end of the course. I really hope you have enjoyed this course and hopefully learn something new. I would really encourage you to choose your own plant and insects, and search for references that you find interesting or that speak to you, be it for their colour, structure or form. Remember to paint from life as much as possible. Try to get out and go on some walks. Find some plants that grow in your own area. Try to keep a sketchbook. Don't be precious about what you draw, it's all about experimenting. Please feel free to participate in t...”

This transcript is automatically generated, so it may contain mistakes.

Course summary for: Naturalistic Illustration in Watercolor and Gouache

• Level: Beginner
• 99% positive reviews (196)
• 7691 students
• 5 units
• 20 lessons (3h 44m)
• 4 downloads

• Category

  Illustration

• Areas

  Botanical Illustration, Fine Arts, Gouache Painting, Naturalistic Illustration, Painting, Watercolor Painting