Painting 33

Ref 897.- Watercolor.- Underpainting with molding paste and it´s
                                   effect through sandpaper



Rub a rough grade of sandpaper across a dry surface of colored molding paste / impasto; that was laid over previous dark watercolor as main color base to create some interesting texture marks. This technique can be used to créate tree bark, rocky texture, sparkles on the wáter, fine spray from a wave as it crashes into a rocky shore or anything that needs additional details, I use to conform the following painting which involves many textural forms including some tree leaves on it

Final result of this process;

Main Steps; 
Exercise made over Hot Press Paper  220 gr/m2. to take advantage of its gloss properties

Step No1.-
Sketch in a loose way the main underpainting dark colors and main features of the idea, put additional emphasis in the shadows

 

Step No 2.- 

After first step dry; I spray Little amount of wáter so the molding paste can fix better into the paper;  Mix molding paste with the paint or use it pure by applying it in one or more layers of minimal thichness with a spatula on the surface of the paper prior to painting.  I used to spatula sizes one large to cover all the color (light ochre) atmosphere and one small to add texturing shapes with médium tone colors of the whole painting idea

 

 

 

Step 3.-

Fold sand paper and drag the folded edge across the dried molding paste to créate textural shapes, line, contours, etc. the underpainting dark color will be revelead, giving additional shape to your idea, do not overdo because the idea is to reach enough texture, the color later on can be improved 

 

 

 

Step 4.-

The underpainting is simply what it sounds like.  It is a painting under the finished painting Many painters simply skip creating an under painting, forgetting that an underpainting can make the finished painting more successful.

In most cases, an under painting's purpose is to define the shdows and highlights in a painting

Doing this allows the artist to establish a value range so that the focus can then shift to the color.

But an underpainting can establish expressive color as well

And again we can go back to the color, I reinforce the dark colors keeping and maintening light source for the final touches, given the texture, sometimes we are able to use the foam brush given more random details to the process .- Watch the light source  add light and brilliant colors you like and enhance it with white gouache
 
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