Watercolor Sorceress WIP/ neon effects

[rcollege]

Hello All!
OK, I finally am going to brave it!
This will be a wip that I will show how to do neon effects in watercolor. I will also attempt to do darker shading, more realistic contrast on cold press to rough paper, while producing a softer look.
I am nervous about the shading, but It's time to grow!

The paper will probably be a Fabriano handmade paper- a mere $35.00 a sheet that I got for only $5.00. The guy at the art store insisted it was that price! This doesn't add to the tension at all (sarcasm is thick right now)

The sketch attached is how I start from imagination using a spine and three cubes.
I then outline a ribcage and pelvic bones. It then "grows" arms, legs and hands. This is only an outline to gain balance, gesture, look of expression and see the begining of life. If it shows life now- then I have a good chance of retaining that life through the drawing. Sparks will be flying from her hands.

I hope you enjoy this! I know my nerves are racked with excitement and caution! C&C's and questions welcome.

[laudesan]

Pulling up a chair fron and centre, seeing as I am the first..

[aszurblue]

Hi Roger, tried to post earlyer, but WC went down. I did post in the Fantasy forum. I'm ready for my lessons now. I'll "try" to be very very quiet. So let's rock and roll! Asure

[Jade Scarlett]

Getting my chair and sitting right next to JJ.

Jade

[rcollege]

Thank you all! Glad your all so excited! Plenty of seats for all.
Your confidence definitely helps mine. I need an extra dose!!
As far as the size- it will be 22x30"
This one is drawn on a 18"x24" sketch pad first, I don't know how well the handmade paper I'm going to use will erase. It will then be transfered to the final paper via graphite transfer paper. The paper is Fabriano Esportazione- cold press. Dick Blick carries it and the price went down!

I will be using either old holland or Maimerie and M. Graham paints.
Watercolor definitely shades faster than color pencil- its just that darn dry time!
Color pencils are just easier to do softer looks.
I suspect that I will enjoy this very much- I may leave work early to try to get this going quickly.
Well Enough yapping I guess I should head home and start working before the sorceress puts a few hundred volts in me to get me working faster

[Jade Scarlett]

Are you home yet???? Anxiously waiting.......

Jade

[T Christensen]

Great ....I'm always searching for neon watercolors , do you have a brand that achieves this affect the best ?.........TerryC

[Uschi]

Wouldn't want to miss this one - WATCHING!!!
Uschi

[rcollege]

Ok, I normaly can draw right on the final paper without too much correction. This time I started on drawing paper- good thing cause I messed up pretty bad- no laughing out loud!
I decided to show where I go wrong in this Wip as well as where I go right. In hopes of showing how I salvage things.

Here's the progress- I've completely overwork the subject- the lines are to bold, her left hand looks mangled and needs surgery and a few other things. Most importantly some of the initial gesture has been lost. I will now fix this by tracing over the appropriate lines on tracing paper to clean her up. This often shows that it's not as bad as it appears. I then will continue to sketch as the paper I'm stretching- for the first time- dries. I never stretch because I'm spoiled and use 300lb- but this handmade stuff is 140-160lb.

[Ottersong]

clappies for you, you are brave to be using that paper. One of our local ,very successful artists uses it a lot. I love it, wish that I caould afford it. Very interested in your working method. I frequently pre draw on tracing paper because I am a lausy drawer. I am lucky though that I have a light table. I ink the drawing so that I can see it through the WC paper.

Wishing you good luck that you can achieve what you are looking for.

Otter

[aszurblue]

I too draw on tracing paper, because first it keeps my hand light and when I try to redraw something, it never looks like the one I'v worked out and I'm happy with. My sketch book is full of drawings that when I try to redraw, do not come out the same

Roger... this is comming along realy realy good.... Waiting

[bluegenes]

Interesting! I like how you are showing your drawing progress as well.

Patty

[rcollege]

Thanks all- sorry this is taking a little longer to get to the watercolor part than I expected.

Aszureblue- I have the same problem- so I try not to trace the actual face- I complete it last to retain that spontinaety.

Otter, Patty,JJ, Terry, Uschi, and Jadee thanks for watching.

BTW Jadee- I love your personal pic- the pose and gesture is great, if its cool I may want to do a painting based on it- or I may try a little portrait work.

[Jade Scarlett]

OMG, Roger, I'm so totally flattered (where's the icon for blushing???). I'm not really photogenic and this is the only picture I kinda like. By all means, use it if you wish.

BTW, still here anxiously waiting for your sorceress, I'm so totally into strong magical female beings, can't wait to see this! Your drawing is coming along fantastic.

JADE

[Uschi]

Checking on update - clappies!!!
Uschi