Normally I sketch in pencil then add watercolor, so I try to make sure I’m happy with my pencil sketches before I start painting. For the 3 small 5×5″ pieces below, I abandoned my pencil completely and went straight in with the watercolor, using a long haired rigger (or liner) brush.
Painted Dogs in watercolor by Alison Nicholls
The lengthy hairs on this kind of brush mean you don’t have complete control over the paint, so you have to be ready to accept mistakes as part of your work. I’m thinking it will be a great way to sketch when I’m in the bush, so I’ll be teaching this method on the 2015 Africa Geographic Art Safari, along with all my usual techniques.
Its amazing what can happen on a sunny day when you are sitting outside mucking around with a new paintbrush!
For those artists out there – there is1 place remaining on this year’s Art Safari. Come join me in the South African bush!
Until next time…
Alison
www.ArtInspiredbyAfrica.com
Beautiful work, I love the elegance and softness of your watercolours they create such vivid moods. Kudos to all your hard work in the field of conservation; I would love to go to these locations and paint/sketch but unfortunately I’m bogged down by a 9-to-5 routine. As often as I can I’ll be painting from my little studio, trying to do my bit for conservation!
Dear Chloe,
Thank you for your comments!
What do you concentrate on painting?
Alison