Figure Flow

Capture emotion with watercolor; learn to outline figures and add depth with shadows and light.

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For me the figure is an expression of emotion. The way you stand, sit, walk or hold yourself expresses something of who you are, how you feel. I find that water colour and loose line work are a great tool which enables us to capture that expressive and emotive quality of a moment in time.

I’ll share with you my simple process of outlining the figure, getting all the proportions right, then adding depth and form with shadow and light.

Let's begin!

Watercolour paper – 3 sheets 26x36cm (10x14 inches) – I use Arches Cold Pressed
Sheet of plain paper for warm-up lesson - A3 size (29.7x42cm)
Watercolour brushes – I use
Jackson’s Raven Quill Mop round sizes 3/0 & 10/0
Jackson’s Pure Squirrel Mop size 6 & 8
Watercolours (Raw Umber is an essential colour, for the others use what you have that is close)
Maimeri Blu: Raw Umber, Permanent Red Deep.
Sennelier: French Ultramarine Blue, Raw Sepia, Caput Mortum, Quinacridone Gold, Purple Helios.
2b & 8b graphite pencil – I use Mars Lumograph 8b & Graphgear 1000 0.9mm wide 2b.
Tracing paper – 6 sheets A4 size
Marking pens/markers (optional)
Sharpener, eraser and ruler
Paint palette, water jar, paper towels

BONUS LESSON

Toned textured cardstock paper 30x30cm
Set of soft pastels - I use Art Spectrum Extra Soft Pastels in the following colours:
Orange A, Scarlet D, Lemon Yellow C, Lemon Highlight A, Red E, Poppy Red A, Yellowish Umber A, Pilbara Red C.
Pastel pencils – purple and black
Vine charcoal stick
Kneadable eraser
Paper towel with a rough texture
Easel, wet rag

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