1. The finished painting of Caladium Jungle has an entirely different feel and expression than my first progression demonstration Casa Blanca, but both paintings have the same humble beginnings.
Although the light pencil lines are not visible in this photo, I start with an accurate drawing as the basis of a realistic painting. No, I don't paint freehand!
The blue lines and dots are masking fluid, used to save the very small or intricate areas of white that are difficult to paint around. When the dried masking fluid is removed and the fern shapes are revealed in step #5 below, they will be painted light green.
I began with a light glaze of yellow and green on the brightest leaves to create a lively glow that shows through when other colors are layered over top.
2. More definition and depth of color is developed by additional glazes of the same yellows and greens.
Caladium Jungle - caladium watercolor demonstration
5. The additon of deeper greens and reds begins to distinguish the foreground from the previously white background.
The masking fluid on the fern shapes has been removed. Now it is easy to see how difficult it would be to paint around such intricate shapes.
Additional masking fluid is applied on the lower of the main trio of leaves to preserve spots of the muted greens and reds already applied. Using slightly grayed colors and very little yellow, this leaf will appear to recede into the shadows.
6. Caladium Jungle is painted almost entirely with the complementary colors of red and green, with just a hint of yellow.
4. Surface texture and subtle undulations of the leaves are the result of shadowed areas along the leaf and vein edges.
3. The showy vein patterns so characteristic of fancy Caladiums begin to appear as reds are applied in the central trio of leaves.
7. Bright splashes of pure white on the main leaves is the last defining characteristic of this variety of Caladium.
It is now easy to see how the masking fluid has preserved the pure white of the paper without the need to use any white paint.
With a deeply shadowed background and layer upon layer of lush, exotic foliage, the essence of a tropical jungle comes into the painting.
Just imagine the sound of dripping rain on every surface, and the screech and chatter of brightly colored birds.
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© 2008 - 2012 by Lisa Hill
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