Gelateria, Portland Part 1
This month’s lesson is a street scene with figures!
I’ve had several requests for a street scene demonstration, so here you go! The watercolor painting is of a gelateria in Portland, OR named Mio Gelato. I love the cast shadows on the buildings and the red and white umbrellas. This one is a bit more challenging than some of the other lessons. Street scenes and figures are not easy to depict. But I encourage you to give it a go!
The Sketch
I have done a more complete sketch than I normally would do for a street scene. I thought it would give you a better feel for how to translate the photo into a watercolor painting. Normally my sketches are much loose and less complete. It’s fine to have a detailed sketch as long as you remember that it’s just a guide. You don’t have to paint in the lines! I have also simplified the painting by zooming in on the building, so that the top edge is out of the painting. I eliminated the car, several details and figures.
The Palette
I’ve also attempted to simplify the painting process for you by maintaining a pretty limited palette. The main colors that I have used are:
- yellow ochre
- cadmium red
- alizarin crimson
- ultramarine blue
- cobalt blue
- cerulean blue
The Figures
When I put figures in paintings, I add them in according to what is best for the composition. I rarely try to copy the people that are in the reference photo. Also figures should have lots of lost edges and undeveloped sections. This makes them seem to be a part of the painting rather than looking like they’ve been cut out and pasted on top of the painting. Ironically, the looser you paint the figures, the more realistic they will seem. Using too much detail and overworking a figure will often lead to them looking cartoon-like and stiff.
The Videos
The watercolor painting demo is divided into three parts. I host my free videos on YouTube which has a time limit of 10 minutes per video, so I either had to edit the video drastically or divide it up. I thought you would want to see every brush stroke, so I went with three separate videos. Even though this is a more complicated painting, it still took only about 25 minutes of actual painting time.
Three things to keep in mind this month:
- Stay relaxed while you’re painting
- Use bold, confident brush strokes
- Don’t overwork
Let me know how it goes!
Hello, Viinita, love this painting.Wish there was a way to take lessons from you. But I have this wonderful blog to go to. Can you please explain how you get the sparkly bits when putting in the yellow? I ‘ve notice you have them in alot of your paintings when your doing your color washes and your gliding the brush then you get the sparkly white bits.Can you please have loose style roses for a video?
Hope I’ve explained myself.
Have a great day,
Linda
Hi Linda,
Thank you! I’m working on scheduling some workshops. Maybe you can attend a workshop? The sparkly bits are done by skipping over the rough paper. When you glide the brush lightly across the paper, it will leave some white areas. I’ll consider doing a loose rose painting for you.
Thanks again!
Vinita, Thank you so. Can’t wait for loose roses.You ave me a smile when I need it today,
Linda
Hi Vinita
I have a request, can you please post a video for paint a misty forest? Thanks. Sudhansu
Hi Sudhansu,
Vinita
This will have to wait until fall or winter so that I can get some reference photos. I have forests close by, but it’s too sunny here right now.
can you please tell me what your large brush is (brand & size). It seems to hold a lot of paint.
Thanks
Hi Pat,
Here is a video where I discuss my brushes… http://www.create38.com/watercolor-painting-supplies-a-basic-studio-and-plein-air-set-up/
It does hold a lot of paint!
Hello, Viinita, love this painting.Wish there was a way to take lessons from you. But I have this wonderful blog to go to. Can you please explain how you get the sparkly bits when putting in the yellow? I ‘ve notice you have them in alot of your paintings when your doing your color washes and your gliding the brush then you get the sparkly white bits.Can you please have loose style roses for a video? Hope I’ve explained myself. Have a great day, Linda
Thank you! The sparkly bits are actually the white of the paper. I use rough paper rather than cold press or hot press. Because the rough paper has more texture, I am able to glide the brush over the surface leaving some areas of white showing.
I will consider painting a loose rose painting in the future…you are not the first to request one.
Hi, Vinita!
I enjoyed your lesson. I founed in on youtube and now I’m your fan ))) and will see all lessons. And will try to do myself, of corse. I like how you explain very much!
From Russia with love )))
P.S. Today in the class we draw an apple. Boring.
Hi Maria,
Thank you! Let me know if you try this on your own. I hope you aren’t too bored in your class
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