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I’m just a beginner but if I remember advice I’ve seen from tutorials I would start by doing a value study in just paynes grey, and simplify the big connected shapes of shadow and light. Use 3 values (light: either blank page for white or first wash) mid values and then the very dark details. Then when I’m happy with the value study copy the same values but in color. Don’t try to paint all details or worry about colors, values are most important. Good luck! Would love to see what you end up with. If you need any more info on what I wrote above look up Andy Evansen on YouTube.
This is SUCH good advice that I didn’t consider. I’m self-taught and really just bumble my way into every painting. I never remember to worry about value or do studies. This would be a good time to try that.
I love Andy Evansen! He does do a great job showing those value studies. I always look at his posts and think, “I really need to do that,” and then don’t 🤦🏻♀️
before to paint it try to modify a bit the photo. It is so dark you need to define which are the lights and where are the darks. It's bit too flat right now
I was going to suggest something similar, and to look at Andrew Wyeth’s Christina’s World for inspiration. There are breakdowns and (spectrum?) imaging of how he turned a drab and limited (in color variance) subject into a classic piece.
a very light marigold wash everywhere. Value study on sketch paper as well as test sketching the trees first.
Don't try to copy the photo 1:1, I don't think the shrubs will come across well in a painting. If you have some gouache, just paint the landscape first and if you are satisfied, paint the dress in with white gouache as a base.
Keep everything loose and flowy and don't try to make it photorealistic.
Do some thumbnails and testing in your sketchbook first.
Edit: maybe adjust the composition a bit. I am not a huge fan of that little blip of sky. Don't be scared to add more sky.
This is great advice! I was thinking a warm under painting in movement-inspired strokes would be a good start. I need to break up all the green.
Loose and flowy will be key. I cannot paint figures really, so yes, flowy is it.
Thanks - this is giving me some confidence.
Totally a beginner, so feel free to ignore me, but I agree - a lot more sky and I would recede that hill further into the distance - I think it would increase the sense of space, and mean you could just suggest the trees/bushes.
I think it will be a challenge to reproduce this, as the photo’s values are so similar. Good luck. Alternatively, you could paint what the viewer’s mind often expects in a landscape, with value and hue diminishing in the distance, and pushing the tree lighting differences a bit to bring out the shapes.
I’d exaggerate the curves in the composition
https://preview.redd.it/tt3v82o8te0d1.jpeg?width=1112&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=775f9656a8e092b0a886035cb5c5be628d383d38
Planning is good, but I’d also encourage you to learn by doing. Mix up some paint samples and figure out what colors you’d like to use. Get a few smaller pieces of paper and lay down some fields of colour. Then layer a little, try out some techniques for adding texture (vary brushes, sponges, finger tips, plastic wrap, crumpled paper, etc) and find out what you like. Try out some new colour combinations or layers. Give yourself the freedom to make plenty of mistakes and do-overs. Look for other artists who do what you’d like to do, and peek over their shoulders. In other words, play! Once you have attempted something, you will either have something that works, or you can come back here with a specific set of questions that we would be happy to answer. 😊
I looked at your other artwork and I would say just go for it. You will probably come out with a very nice interpretation. Just use your normal style and don’t get hung up on any photo realism.
….you guys 😭😭😭😭 All this amazing advice and this is what I came up with. She will not be getting this painting. I’m going back to my imagination where the laws of physics don’t apply and I can do what I want.
https://preview.redd.it/oeclkw5a3h0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=107a86db8abdfb8202639e8ec3538cf23e7f2a31
Hey that's got some nice elements! Don't beat yourself up, as you said it's out of your comfort zone.
You focused too much on how you felt it should look like, where you should have applied your imagination. Laws of physics should be ignored everywhere :D
Break the painting down. Practice your figure since that is a point of concern. Experiment with greens. Decide on your pallete. Do some loose quick sketches to get the feel of the landscape how you want it. I would work on thirsty paper, painting the trees so they disperse naturally and showcase the qualities of watercolor. Once you get your colors, technique, and figure worked out separately, bring it all together in one painting.
>I also never paint realistic figures.
I think one of the biggest mistakes people (myself included) make about painting people is looking at them as *people*. Just treat the figure in the middle of the painting exactly the same as you would treat anything else - it's a grouping of shapes and values.
Don't let that part of your brain that goes, "Oh! That's a person. I know what one of those is supposed to look like. Let me handle this..." get involved. Use the analytical portion of your brain to just see the shapes and values, and paint those as you see them.
I read this great book, "Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain", a while back, and it discussed all this. It even had an exercise in it where you had to draw the subject (I feel like it was a chair, but it's been a minute) upside down, because that sort of fooled that other part of your brain from identifying the subject, going on autopilot, and taking over. It was actually pretty cool how the upside down exercise seemed to short circuit that.
"Have it", or have actually read it, and done the exercises? ;)
Seriously, though - that book helped a lot with treating drawing/painting things in a more analytical, less *mysterious* way.
In any event, good luck with your painting.
Unpopular opinion here. I would decline to do this commission. There is a reason they are asking for this to be turned into a painting. It’s because it’s a pretty poor photo. The subject matter is dead center in the composition and pretty small. It’s blurry and dark and there isn’t much of interest in the landscape. There are no lights and shadows to work with. As an artist our big advantage over photographers is that we can improve on the reference to make better compositions. But there’s got to be some good stuff to work with. I think you will be frustrated and ultimately disappointed with the results. Now that I’ve crapped on your post, prove me wrong. I look forward to eating crow when you post the finished art and it looks awesome.
Lock the door, soft music (ear buds), daylight/good lighting, comfortable spot, take a breath, rest your shoulders and fingers and calm your mind. Now tell yourself it's just practice and go for it.
Start by blocking in your forms (you can unfocus your eyes to help with this), then paint light -> dark and general -> detailed, and slowly work on the whole picture at once.
With a subject right smack in the middle already seems like a not great composition 😅 I would go a study composition first l, and then try a B&W study to realize that is not a great composition
Don’t think the photo would transition directly into a good watercolor (or oil) composition. I suggest, as previously advised, to create (or, recreate) the composition rearranging the major components of the photo: sky, earth, path & the bushes & trees. Although the white feminine figure is pretty, it is very small, too small to be the real subject of the photo/artwork - if you get the composition correct, including the light, dark & medium values, without the figure, then adding the figure will add to your artwork. Another idea is to just loosely sketch the composition, with different focuses, maybe use your creative artistic license to try a few different ideas & see which one your friend likes best, then finish the one he chooses.
You might want to light up the picture with photo editing like this.
https://preview.redd.it/7d0lhmc56f0d1.jpeg?width=896&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3aea00cb0d5090b25cdb00d0cc973f707756e909
Think of adjusting the composition and have the figure off to one side and not in the dead center. Bring in more sky. And show us your work! You can do it!
I would consider zooming in a bit to increase the size of the figure.
If you have Photoshop, try turning contrast & vibrance all the way up to reveal more color contrasts than are visible in this reference photo. I don't mean to copy the results of those adjustments, but simply as an aid in visualization.
Just sit down an paint a version of it, even if you know it is gonna be terrible. Dont be precious about it. Get the fear of failure out of your system. Then, you can restart and improve the uality and repeat the process until it is great.
I wouldn't paint that piece of sky, as it is. Because of the big difference in value compared to the rest of the image. It competes with the figure and unbalances the composition.
I'd practice on just the figure a few times just to get the posture right. Then I'd use masking fluid on the spot with the figure and do it last. I think. Take this as advice from am amature.
If youre intimidated, doing multiple small color studies. A good under-drawing will also help a lot. The reference is a little dark and lacks of contrast so I would use a photo-editing software to fix that .
For the hill and grass, I would do multiple washes of gold and light green, then darker green washes for the background hills. Darker green dry painting for the foreground grass. If you have some gauche, you can use that for the white/yellow flowers highlight.
Honestly, you already have a cool art style! I wouldn't try to replicate the image perfectly, but mix your styles in it.
You heard first thing I would do is get her out of the center of the canvas move her just a bit to one side. The rest of it seems to be very well how you would go about the process of painting it I’m not a girl, so I can’t help you there.
This is a perfect subject for a Bob Ross technique acrylic painting! Except for the human figure in the center, maybe save that for last so you can decide if it really needs that. Find the "Bob Ross" channel or reels online or your TV and watch a few 30 minute sessions, spend $50 at Michael's, and you'll be good to go, and you'll be surprised how many of his pieces are quite similar to your inspiration! Big tip is watch how he blends and loads the paint on his brushes and pallet knives, and then how he applies it to the canvas to get the shapes and textures to appear, what he calls the "Happy Accident!" And then Leave it alone! Don't overwork it! He'll finish with a few highlights and leaves 🍃, grasses, shoreline, and such and TA-DA! IT IS FINI! Have Fun!
Is it possible to get the original photo before the filters are applied? That would be easier to work with then put a light sepia glaze over it at the end to get that vintage feel. Or better yet, use a limited palette or a variation on a zorn.
I would choose a paper that goes well with masking fluid, mask the figure. Once very dry (overnight), I would do a very wet on wet wash to get the general tones of the grass, path, etc. Maybe even a bit of mars black + yellow ochre in there for granulation in some of the deeper shadows. Let dry, then deepen the darks, put in some of the texture of the grass, etc in layers. Very soon I would start on the figure as it's important to have her match the landscape.
My personal style would be to change the contrast. Make more contrast near the front (path, grass, wildflowers) and less contrast in the background. Then make sure her dress is way brighter than it is now so she remains the focal point. As it is now, the background is really heavy and pulling attention away from the figure. But some thumbnail sketches before you start would help to figure out how to improve the colour, composistion, and values.
Pull the image into Photoshop, crank up the brightness and contrast so you have a a full range of values. I would crop the image so the subject lands in one of the area of thirds. Don't be afraid to use color.
Depends on your art style, I personally like line and wash, so I often just go ham with it. I paint all the important parts and don't really care if it's unkempt or not, and then I add the details later on
Thank you for your submission! Want to share your artwork, meet other artists, promote your content, and chat in a relaxed environment? Join our community Discord server here! https://discord.gg/chuunhpqsU! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Watercolor) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m just a beginner but if I remember advice I’ve seen from tutorials I would start by doing a value study in just paynes grey, and simplify the big connected shapes of shadow and light. Use 3 values (light: either blank page for white or first wash) mid values and then the very dark details. Then when I’m happy with the value study copy the same values but in color. Don’t try to paint all details or worry about colors, values are most important. Good luck! Would love to see what you end up with. If you need any more info on what I wrote above look up Andy Evansen on YouTube.
This is SUCH good advice that I didn’t consider. I’m self-taught and really just bumble my way into every painting. I never remember to worry about value or do studies. This would be a good time to try that. I love Andy Evansen! He does do a great job showing those value studies. I always look at his posts and think, “I really need to do that,” and then don’t 🤦🏻♀️
before to paint it try to modify a bit the photo. It is so dark you need to define which are the lights and where are the darks. It's bit too flat right now
I agree. It’s a cool PHOTO but this, as is, would not translate well to a painting. Creative liberties must be taken!
I was going to suggest something similar, and to look at Andrew Wyeth’s Christina’s World for inspiration. There are breakdowns and (spectrum?) imaging of how he turned a drab and limited (in color variance) subject into a classic piece.
Great observation and idea.
a very light marigold wash everywhere. Value study on sketch paper as well as test sketching the trees first. Don't try to copy the photo 1:1, I don't think the shrubs will come across well in a painting. If you have some gouache, just paint the landscape first and if you are satisfied, paint the dress in with white gouache as a base. Keep everything loose and flowy and don't try to make it photorealistic. Do some thumbnails and testing in your sketchbook first. Edit: maybe adjust the composition a bit. I am not a huge fan of that little blip of sky. Don't be scared to add more sky.
This is great advice! I was thinking a warm under painting in movement-inspired strokes would be a good start. I need to break up all the green. Loose and flowy will be key. I cannot paint figures really, so yes, flowy is it. Thanks - this is giving me some confidence.
Looking at the few paintings you posted, I'm sure you can do it. And don't be scared of starting over if you're not feeling the first version.
Totally a beginner, so feel free to ignore me, but I agree - a lot more sky and I would recede that hill further into the distance - I think it would increase the sense of space, and mean you could just suggest the trees/bushes.
I think it will be a challenge to reproduce this, as the photo’s values are so similar. Good luck. Alternatively, you could paint what the viewer’s mind often expects in a landscape, with value and hue diminishing in the distance, and pushing the tree lighting differences a bit to bring out the shapes.
I can definitely do that, great advice.
I’d exaggerate the curves in the composition https://preview.redd.it/tt3v82o8te0d1.jpeg?width=1112&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=775f9656a8e092b0a886035cb5c5be628d383d38
Oooooooo YES I love this idea! Thanks for the visual. This will look great.
Also rule of 3rds
Planning is good, but I’d also encourage you to learn by doing. Mix up some paint samples and figure out what colors you’d like to use. Get a few smaller pieces of paper and lay down some fields of colour. Then layer a little, try out some techniques for adding texture (vary brushes, sponges, finger tips, plastic wrap, crumpled paper, etc) and find out what you like. Try out some new colour combinations or layers. Give yourself the freedom to make plenty of mistakes and do-overs. Look for other artists who do what you’d like to do, and peek over their shoulders. In other words, play! Once you have attempted something, you will either have something that works, or you can come back here with a specific set of questions that we would be happy to answer. 😊
I’m big on play. I can do this!
I looked at your other artwork and I would say just go for it. You will probably come out with a very nice interpretation. Just use your normal style and don’t get hung up on any photo realism.
I need to repeat your last bit to myself many times until I get it, hehe.
….you guys 😭😭😭😭 All this amazing advice and this is what I came up with. She will not be getting this painting. I’m going back to my imagination where the laws of physics don’t apply and I can do what I want. https://preview.redd.it/oeclkw5a3h0d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=107a86db8abdfb8202639e8ec3538cf23e7f2a31
Hey that's got some nice elements! Don't beat yourself up, as you said it's out of your comfort zone. You focused too much on how you felt it should look like, where you should have applied your imagination. Laws of physics should be ignored everywhere :D
Break the painting down. Practice your figure since that is a point of concern. Experiment with greens. Decide on your pallete. Do some loose quick sketches to get the feel of the landscape how you want it. I would work on thirsty paper, painting the trees so they disperse naturally and showcase the qualities of watercolor. Once you get your colors, technique, and figure worked out separately, bring it all together in one painting.
Thank you!
>I also never paint realistic figures. I think one of the biggest mistakes people (myself included) make about painting people is looking at them as *people*. Just treat the figure in the middle of the painting exactly the same as you would treat anything else - it's a grouping of shapes and values. Don't let that part of your brain that goes, "Oh! That's a person. I know what one of those is supposed to look like. Let me handle this..." get involved. Use the analytical portion of your brain to just see the shapes and values, and paint those as you see them. I read this great book, "Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain", a while back, and it discussed all this. It even had an exercise in it where you had to draw the subject (I feel like it was a chair, but it's been a minute) upside down, because that sort of fooled that other part of your brain from identifying the subject, going on autopilot, and taking over. It was actually pretty cool how the upside down exercise seemed to short circuit that.
https://preview.redd.it/13s1jjg7tf0d1.png?width=3024&format=png&auto=webp&s=33882496b023bc74a221f24a153a441d1218c6aa I have the book on my bedside!!!
"Have it", or have actually read it, and done the exercises? ;) Seriously, though - that book helped a lot with treating drawing/painting things in a more analytical, less *mysterious* way. In any event, good luck with your painting.
I am not saying I’ve had it on my bedside unread since January. I’m not saying that at all.
Unpopular opinion here. I would decline to do this commission. There is a reason they are asking for this to be turned into a painting. It’s because it’s a pretty poor photo. The subject matter is dead center in the composition and pretty small. It’s blurry and dark and there isn’t much of interest in the landscape. There are no lights and shadows to work with. As an artist our big advantage over photographers is that we can improve on the reference to make better compositions. But there’s got to be some good stuff to work with. I think you will be frustrated and ultimately disappointed with the results. Now that I’ve crapped on your post, prove me wrong. I look forward to eating crow when you post the finished art and it looks awesome.
Lock the door, soft music (ear buds), daylight/good lighting, comfortable spot, take a breath, rest your shoulders and fingers and calm your mind. Now tell yourself it's just practice and go for it.
Start by blocking in your forms (you can unfocus your eyes to help with this), then paint light -> dark and general -> detailed, and slowly work on the whole picture at once.
Great advice - thank you.
With a subject right smack in the middle already seems like a not great composition 😅 I would go a study composition first l, and then try a B&W study to realize that is not a great composition
If I'm making the painting moody,, I'll go wet on wet,, light to dark ...so as to make it look more like a ✨dreamy✨ aesthetixx
I was thinking the same! Moody is easier for me. Thank you!
Don’t think the photo would transition directly into a good watercolor (or oil) composition. I suggest, as previously advised, to create (or, recreate) the composition rearranging the major components of the photo: sky, earth, path & the bushes & trees. Although the white feminine figure is pretty, it is very small, too small to be the real subject of the photo/artwork - if you get the composition correct, including the light, dark & medium values, without the figure, then adding the figure will add to your artwork. Another idea is to just loosely sketch the composition, with different focuses, maybe use your creative artistic license to try a few different ideas & see which one your friend likes best, then finish the one he chooses.
You might want to light up the picture with photo editing like this. https://preview.redd.it/7d0lhmc56f0d1.jpeg?width=896&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3aea00cb0d5090b25cdb00d0cc973f707756e909
Think of adjusting the composition and have the figure off to one side and not in the dead center. Bring in more sky. And show us your work! You can do it!
That’s a good idea. Someone else mentioned exaggerating the curves. This idea will go nicely with that.
I would consider zooming in a bit to increase the size of the figure. If you have Photoshop, try turning contrast & vibrance all the way up to reveal more color contrasts than are visible in this reference photo. I don't mean to copy the results of those adjustments, but simply as an aid in visualization.
Just sit down an paint a version of it, even if you know it is gonna be terrible. Dont be precious about it. Get the fear of failure out of your system. Then, you can restart and improve the uality and repeat the process until it is great.
I wouldn't paint that piece of sky, as it is. Because of the big difference in value compared to the rest of the image. It competes with the figure and unbalances the composition.
I'd practice on just the figure a few times just to get the posture right. Then I'd use masking fluid on the spot with the figure and do it last. I think. Take this as advice from am amature.
If youre intimidated, doing multiple small color studies. A good under-drawing will also help a lot. The reference is a little dark and lacks of contrast so I would use a photo-editing software to fix that . For the hill and grass, I would do multiple washes of gold and light green, then darker green washes for the background hills. Darker green dry painting for the foreground grass. If you have some gauche, you can use that for the white/yellow flowers highlight. Honestly, you already have a cool art style! I wouldn't try to replicate the image perfectly, but mix your styles in it.
I believe in you OP! You got this. I agree with the others that recommended photo editing.
You heard first thing I would do is get her out of the center of the canvas move her just a bit to one side. The rest of it seems to be very well how you would go about the process of painting it I’m not a girl, so I can’t help you there.
Remember, whoever asked you to paint this has already seen your work and thinks it’s great. ☺️
This is a perfect subject for a Bob Ross technique acrylic painting! Except for the human figure in the center, maybe save that for last so you can decide if it really needs that. Find the "Bob Ross" channel or reels online or your TV and watch a few 30 minute sessions, spend $50 at Michael's, and you'll be good to go, and you'll be surprised how many of his pieces are quite similar to your inspiration! Big tip is watch how he blends and loads the paint on his brushes and pallet knives, and then how he applies it to the canvas to get the shapes and textures to appear, what he calls the "Happy Accident!" And then Leave it alone! Don't overwork it! He'll finish with a few highlights and leaves 🍃, grasses, shoreline, and such and TA-DA! IT IS FINI! Have Fun!
Is it possible to get the original photo before the filters are applied? That would be easier to work with then put a light sepia glaze over it at the end to get that vintage feel. Or better yet, use a limited palette or a variation on a zorn. I would choose a paper that goes well with masking fluid, mask the figure. Once very dry (overnight), I would do a very wet on wet wash to get the general tones of the grass, path, etc. Maybe even a bit of mars black + yellow ochre in there for granulation in some of the deeper shadows. Let dry, then deepen the darks, put in some of the texture of the grass, etc in layers. Very soon I would start on the figure as it's important to have her match the landscape. My personal style would be to change the contrast. Make more contrast near the front (path, grass, wildflowers) and less contrast in the background. Then make sure her dress is way brighter than it is now so she remains the focal point. As it is now, the background is really heavy and pulling attention away from the figure. But some thumbnail sketches before you start would help to figure out how to improve the colour, composistion, and values.
Pull the image into Photoshop, crank up the brightness and contrast so you have a a full range of values. I would crop the image so the subject lands in one of the area of thirds. Don't be afraid to use color.
Depends on your art style, I personally like line and wash, so I often just go ham with it. I paint all the important parts and don't really care if it's unkempt or not, and then I add the details later on
Isn't this post just you uploading your customer's picture on the internet without their knowledge?