Black & White Leggings

Black & White Leggings
Watercolour 60cm x 40cm

I have painted three Zebra paintings before but I was drawn to this Caroline Williams Photography image back in February and just found the right time yesterday to use it to paint. When I painted the black stripes on all previous occasions I used masking fluid for the white stripes and then painted freely using many layers to get the depth of black and removed the masking fluid when the right depth had been achieved.

My process this time:
No masking fluid
1. Draw outline of leg shapes ( not the stripes) to required size on cartridge paper so it can be used again, I have in mind to use this image again. Transfer to 425gsm Saunders Waterford Paper

2.Wet entire background and add colours Quin Gold, Yellow Ochre, Burnt Sienna,FU Blue and some texture tools ie. Clingfilm, wax paper and gauze. Let Dry, remove papers and gauze

3. Next I did the tail with some of the colours grayed down and also some strokes with watercolour pencils

4. I mixed up and small pot of very dense black using Alizarin Crimson, Viridian, Paynes Gray and a touch of Phthalo Blue. I painted the black stripes in a single layer with this rich paint by looking at the image on my monitor and with no drawing on my paper, sometimes a bit tricky as my eyes went out of focus from looking at all the shapes. Luckily Zebras have a unique pattern anyway so any stray from the reference stripes did not matter. Form and shadows were created by allowing some bleeding from the black stripes into the white and also sometimes adding a bit of the warm gray from all the puddles on my palette.

Its great to use different ways of creating a similar subject as this really adds excitement to the painting process and that thrill when you stand back and look at your finished work.

Comments

  1. This turned out so neat Lorraine! Thank you for sharing your whole process. You've really got your techniques working expertly for you.

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  2. Your background is the perfect foil for these zebra legs, Lorraine. They complement each other. And what a rich and beautiful black. Your shading on the white is both realistic and perfectly done.

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  3. Awesome Lorraine , the stripes are perfect and so are the shadows on the legs ! The background really works well too , beautiful !

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  4. Super job on this Lorraine!!! Thanks so much for explaining your process in doing it. The shading just works so well.

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  5. Thank girls for your positive feedback on this one. It is still on my ease and gives me a smile each time I see it.

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  6. Who would have thought that a pair of leggings could be so interesting...to say the least! Looks like a new dance step! :) Love your process also, thanks for the tip.

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  7. Lorraine when I saw the zebra's hoof and then the leg scroll down my ipad the other day from your Facebook post I instantly knew it was one of yours. I just popped in now to read the write up. I am thoroughly amazed to hear you did the stripes with no pre-drawing. That is control and talent young lady. Interesting mix of colours to achieve the black. I think even if I live to be a hundred I will not learn all there is to know about watercolour. Really love this one.

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  8. Dear Lorraine - this is super. Your blacks are superb. You really made this an outstanding piece...certainly captures ones attention immediately. Thanks for being so generous in how you achieved this piece. Have a delightful week.

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  9. Thanks friends I love to read your comments and they are always appreciated. I am pleased to say that after two days on and off this piece has been varnished. I find this more nerve racking than doing the painting

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  10. Dear Lorraine, I have received your lovely newsletter. How much passion you're putting into your work so you deserve concrete results.
    I like your experimentation, an attitude that allows you to evolve in many directions, including directly the various technical possibilities and I love your friendly openness to communicate your experience, My best wishes for a Happy Easter with your loved ones.

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