Short Introduction In 2003 I began studying art in school. I think everyone can relate and agree that 13 years ago we were completely different people from where we are now. Thirteen years ago I was only 14 years old and now at 27 I still find myself studying art. Just as that 14 year old then this 27 year old now finds amazement, calm, and meditation in creating. I can't wait to share my creative process and inspirations with you. Now let's Create Snowpatch Spire from The Bugaboos! For the past year or so I have had several people ask me what my process of creating, drawing, and painting my Climbing Series. Today I want to show you how I created Snowpatch Spire from the Bugaboos. Materials List: Pencil Scratch paper Cup Water Paintbrushes (This is a link to beginner ones. You can buy more expensive but if you treat your paintbrush well you won't need expensive ones). Art Board Blue Tape Derwent Watercolor Pencils 72 Derwent Inktense Pencils 72 Sharpie Fine Point Sharpie Extra Fine Point Sharpie Pen Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Pad 11in.x15in. Step One: Research: Depends on what you will be drawing but I use Mountain Project to research a lot of crags I've been to and haven't been to. I got a commission to do the Bugaboos so I did a lot of research before I figured out what part of the Bugaboos I wanted to draw. I always suggest finding or taking multiple high quality photos to work from. Step Two: Plan: In pencil sketch thumbnails of composition on scratch paper. AKA - Use your pencil to draw tiny examples of what you want to draw. Pick the one you like the best! Step Three: In pencil on watercolor paper - Begin to sketch exterior lines and shapes of mountains in detail like Step One thumbnails but with more precision. Step Four: Tape down your paper. You can see what this looks like in Step Five. Taping down your paper helps your paper to not curl when you put water on it. I tape down my paper to an artboard. You could use cardboard in a bind. Step Five: Start with the Sharpie Pen and do the fine line details. Look for the lines inside the mountain that create the interior textures and climbng lines. As you want to add shadows use the Sharpie extra fine for medium and fine point for dark areas. Erase your pencil marks and enjoy the black and white before you get crazy with color! Step Six: Time to use the Watercolor Pencils! Don't press too hard or get too crazy. The color is more intense after you add water. I'd practice on that scratch paper first! I look at my mountain and decide what colors I see. I use blues and purples for my darks. I hardly ever use black because scientifically black absorbs all colors. Which means your color will disappear and you will see only black. This is how I keep my paintings so vibrant. (Yes! I said SCIENCE)! If I ever use black it is VERY purposefully and very RARE! Do you like the vibrant colors?? Step Seven: Time to use paper towel, water and Watercolor brushes. Dip your watercolor paintbrushes in water and spread the color. I keep my paper towel handy just in case I add too much water or color. Consider the paper towel as an eraser for your paper that you have to dab gently but it won't take everything up. Step Eight: Let it dry. Take a deep breath, enjoy the quiet and go do something fun! Step Nine: (Not a requirement if you like what you have. Skip to step 12). Add the Derwent Inktense Pencils to add intensity of darkness and brightness. Keep in mind that these pencils are not in anyway erasable after they dry because they are INK! So, unlike the watercolor pencils I have to work fast with the Inktense Pencils. Step Ten: Repeat step seven. Keep in mind the Inktense are not in anyway erasable after they dry because they are INK! So, unlike the watercolor pencils work fast! Step Eleven: Let it dry. Go do something fun again! Duh! Step Twelve: I carefully pull off the tape used to keep my paper from wrinkling. Cancel all my other appointments! Its time to go to the Bugaboos to climb! I just can't stand the torture of seeing this beautiful place and not visiting it. Prints available for sale on my Etsy. Happy Adventuring! Mary Caroline Felker P.S. Stay tuned for my next posts about my adventures in tiny art and screen printing! P.P.S. Below you'll find a video that is of me painting my Moab Towers painting. I show you a bit of how I do my paintings. I even use black in this painting. Uh oh!! |
Mary FelkerLas Vegas based artist, high school art teacher, rock climber, cyclist, runner, yogi, traveler, & outdoor enthusiast. "Every moment is worth living. If I'm adventuring I'm dreaming of creating and if I'm creating I'm dreaming of adventures." Archives
April 2020
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