Minitature Nature

Art Completed Projects
1

I’ve been testing out various watercolor papers to see which I like best and to create items for my Shop The Swap store (there’s still time to join this swap and there are so many wonderful shops and crafts this year!).

These three nature inspired mini paintings are the result. I tried slightly different techniques for each as well.

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Fox
For the fox, I inked my initial sketch, painted with watercolor and then added colored pencil detail.
Inked

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Watercolor

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Final (after colored pencil detail added)

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Ladybug
For the ladybug, I tried underpainting tonal values to give the painting more depth and only used colored pencil to add a teeny bit of detail to the plant leaves and grass.
Sketch

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Ink

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Tonal values with india ink

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Final version with minimal colored pencil

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Orange Bird
For the bird, I used more detail in the ink base and some ink crosshatching for dark areas. The colored pencil detail is much heavier in this piece than the other two.
Sketch

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Ink

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Watercolor only

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Final version with colored pencil detail

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At the end of the day I’m not sure if I prefer one technique over the other. Each gives it’s own flavor to the paintings and I’m happy with all three.

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Thanks for sharing your process! I have always used a mix of techniques and have found that no two are ever gives the same result!

These are all unique and lovely. I especially love your bird!

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These are each amazing. I love how you broke down what you did. They all hold their own. Whoever gets these will be lucky!

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So pretty! :purple_heart: I missed my chance at the fox lol

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These are so freakin sweet & cute, ack! The love!

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These are beautiful!!!

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They’re so beautiful! You have really found many ways to help watercolor come alive!

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Your watercolors are so awesome! I love seeing the process.

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Amazing. I love seeing your steps! Which paper did you find that you liked the best?

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These are beautiful! I love the oriole! And the fox! Ok I love them all!

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Fantastic work! I’m so pleased you shared your process. Especially with the underpainting. I have to try that.

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@AIMR, @Bunny1kenobi, @jellybean, @gozer, @Magpie, @Mountains_and_Clouds, @Manders, @Dooney, @curiousfae - Thank you!

@curiousfae - let me know how it goes! I’ll probably try tonal painting some more but I’m not entirely sold on it yet.

@Kwality570 - thank you! I’ve only tried 3 papers so far and don’t have a preference yet. That said, I still have 17 hot press and 15 cold press papers to try. I ordered a sample pack from a seller on Etsy so I have an ATC sized rectangle of each paper. There are many, many ATC watercolors in my future :rofl:.

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Oooo, I love these! I’m hoping to get into more watercolor, and seeing how good pencil finishing up touches look is very reassuring.

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Thank you! I hope you have fun with your painting! I do use a soft blending brush or my finger to soften the colored pencils.