ArtRba Photograph: Elephant, Watercolour on watercolour paper
(Click on the image to open full size)
This is the first time that I've painted this image in watercolour albeit I've put together a similar image with Inktense Pencils over the summer. But the Inktense ones were more about brilliance of colour, speed of work, and mark-making through pencil strokes.
In terms of Mark-Making this image has:
* Masking fluid lines to preserve the white of the paper
* Masking fluid dots again to preserve the white
* Dry brushing on rough paper to achieve broken edges
* Wet surface and then wet on wet watercolour painting
* Dry surface and then wet on wet watercolour painting
* Wet to dry and wet over dry watercolour painting
* Brushed lines including some overlayed on the previous line
* Splatter technique using a brush
This particular painting is intended as a gift for some African friends who live in North America. As I have four black African friends now living in the USA and Canada, I'm loathe to say which country; as that will spoil the surprise of having the painting land on the carpet or deposited in the post box outside of their home.
I've now sketched out and laid down the masking fluid on another version using 12 x 16 Arches paper. On that example I've gone for a two tone yellow background using the wet on wet technique applied to a wet surface. This 'on the go' painting is also a gift. This time for a Greek friend who's partner is Nigerian.
