Another Watercolor Pumpkin Painting

This past week I’ve painted some pumpkins based on a few pictures I took when I used to work at a local garden center. Here’s a picture of the initial sketch across the two pages in my Stillman & Birn Beta journal. The left side of the page is a loose pencil sketch that shows all the rough pencil lines that I did not erase. The right side of the page shows the permanent lines from my UniPin pen.

I was thinking to myself how cool and fun would this sketch be if I created the left side with a loose watercolor painting (less details) and the right side painted with more details.

Once I finished using my permanent pen, I went back and erased my pencil lines that I did not want to include in my sketch.

For this painting, I used Daniel Smith watercolor paints and mixed my own colors. I also used a water brush designated for use with my watercolor paints.

I mixed Cascade Green with a bit of Prussian Blue

I’m still using water brushes because I can’t break my habit. For me, they are easier to use and very portable. I know that will eventually change as my practice paintings and watercolor techniques continue to grow and I’ll need to switch to using real watercolor brushes.

I like how this teal green pumpkin appears to be glowing

I start painting my way around my two page spread. I can get away with painting two layers of colors before I have to move onto the next pumpkin. This S&B Beta paper can take a bit more paint and water than their Alpha paper, but I do have to let the layers dry before adding additional colors. I also have to watch how I am painting each pumpkin and not “color-in” everything like a coloring book.

As I work my way across my two pages, I’m thinking of the next color(s) to use for the next pumpkin. Sometimes I plan my colors ahead of time and sometimes I change things up as I paint. It’s my creative license to do so.

I left my watercolor painting alone for a day or so. It’s always a good idea for me to take a break and to look at my artwork with a fresh pair of eyes. I’m still working on mixing the right colors for my base shadows. Once I figure out the color-mix that looks somewhat like Robert Oster Thunderstorm I will share the recipe here on my blog.

This has been my third pumpkin painting and I’m still trying to figure out my painting style. I know I have to keep painting and challenge myself like I did with my pen & ink wash artwork. Practice, practice, and more practice.

I’m back to using my Stillman & Birn Beta journal. This heavier paper can handle several layers of paint and water.

I like having several colors available to use instead of limiting myself to a few basic colors. The possibilities are endless when I can mix colors together. As long as I don’t create mud.

My palette with Daniel Smith colors, my swatch card, water brush, and shop towel

The metal palette I’m using is from Looneng (Amazon). I filled the included empty half pans with my own Daniels Smith watercolors. I like the three main mixing wells as it helps to keep the mixed colors separate and prevents the colors from running into each other while I’m mixing the colors. I also like that I have space between the two main rows of pans so I could add another row of pan colors. I’ve noticed that this three-well palette is unavailable. They do offer a two-well palette with 14 empty half pans.

Pencil: Lamy Vista mechanical pencil 0.5mm

Pen: Uniball Uni-Pin Fine Line pen with dark grey ink

Journal: Stillman & Birn Beta Series A5 journal

Watercolor paints used: Daniel Smith Nickel Azo Yellow, Lemon Yellow, Pyrrol Scarlet, Quinacridone Rose, Ultramarine Blue, Prussian Blue, Sap Green, Cascade Green, Burnt Umber, and Moon Glow.

Brush: Pentel Water Brush in size Large

Metal palette: Looneng empty watercolor palette with 14 empty half pans.