Joseph Zbukvic helps me break through at Sketchcrawl #22

It was World Wide Sketchcrawl #22 today, but in fact I did not crawl – rather, I sat all day at the Starbucks outside of the Chinatown gate, and painted what you can see from there.

I’d been reading Joseph Zbukvic’s book on watercolor, which is out of print to the best of my knowledge, but available online in various un-scrupulous ways – or second hand for a small fortune. Luckily a fellow at work has a copy! Great book!

Key things which really helped me:

Start with a light, but complete drawing, use a HUGE brush to do TWO big washes – one for sky, one for everything else. If you need a hard edge, leave a tiny gap so these two areas don’t touch. Wash from top to bottom with a very thin (tea consistency) wash. Work fast (for natural blending). Draw the bead down, and go back to the pallet to modulate the color as you go. Let wet washes merge into themselves – then WAIT to dry.

Very important. WAIT.

That has made all the difference for me. I used to get a lot of mud at this point, due to failing to wait for the paper.

Now finish off with little shadows in gradually thicker pigment, until you’re putting on small details with “cream” or “milk” consistency paint.

Work dark over light, and go ahead and use gouache at the very end to reclaim small lost lights if you need too.

I didn’t follow his advice exactly, but tried to keep it in mind. Either way, I’m pleased with these two, compared to what I usually get.

There are also some instructional DVD’s from APV Films. I think the book is better – packed with information. Might try your local library, since the book is so costly today.

Plus, he does reasonably priced workshops – so keep an eye out for those.