Dreamscapes Fantasy Worlds Create Engaging Scenes and Landscapes in Watercolor

177 Pages·2014·27.76 MB·English

by  Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

Create Engaging
Scenes and Landscapes
in Watercolor
Dreamscapes Fantasy Worlds
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DD
rreeaammssccaappeess
F W
antasy orlds
Create
Engaging
and
Scenes Landscapes
in Watercolor
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law
CINCINNATI, OHIO
www.impact-books.com
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T
able of Contents
INTRODUCTION 6
CHAPTER 1
Materials & Techniques
8
CHAPTER 2
Th e Foundations – Stone
42
CHAPTER 3
Th e Mysteries – Arboreal
82
CHAPTER 4
Th e Dreams – Skies
130
INDEX 172
ABOUT THE AUTHOR 174
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I
ntroduction
The most important thing about creating art Preciousness is the enemy of an artist who wants
is to create. If you want to be at ease with creativity, you to grow.
have to immerse yourself in it and do a litt le bit every 1) Precious Time
day—even if that litt le bit is just fi ve minutes while 2) Precious Artwork
waiting for the bus. Do a quick gesture drawing of a To let the muse work her magic, you have to let
man reading his book across the street from you. Take a go of att achments to those two concepts. Even as a
moment to scribble down a thumbnail idea of a concept. professional who has been drawing and painting every
Try to do a litt le bit each day to train your brain to day for almost two decades, I had to learn this lesson
think visually. recently. I’m not immune to these pitfalls any more than
It can be diffi cult at fi rst, training yourself to make a beginning artist. Long ago I got past the hump of just
this small bit of time. You’ll think: gett ing myself to do art every day. Th at part I took for
I don’t have enough time for it. granted. In fact, aft er so long it becomes a necessity—you
Art is hard! train yourself to have an artistic outlet, and it becomes a
I’m not good enough yet for that piece I’ve always part of you as much as breathing and sleeping.
wanted to do. But due to the vagaries of the grand adventure of life,
Yes, art is hard. Yes, you might not feel ready to do I found my art time thrott led back, and then I fell into
that masterwork that you’ve been dreaming of, but I’ll the trap that (1) Time was precious.
let you in on a secret: No artist ever is! Sure, there is a Because I had litt le time to dedicate to creating, it
satisfact ion that comes when the last detail is polished, became a commodity, and every moment of it had to
and your signature is scrawled across the bott om corner matt er. Every second sitt ing at my desk with a pencil or
with its fl ourishing declaration of “Finished!” Every paintbrush in hand had to be momentous because (2)
new painting is a milest one of achievement, hopefully Artwork was precious, and I couldn’t waste my time
with lessons learned and skills advanced. But if you let with non-essentials. Th ere was only enough time
yourself rest too long in that satisfact ion, then you’re not for masterpieces.
challenging and pushing yourself onward enough. I like When you fall into that mode of thinking, your brain
to think that if I still feel a piece I did three years ago is and your creativity do the only thing they can: Th ey shut
among my best work, then I’m doing something wrong. up completely. Th at kind of pressure is just too much.
My best is always going to be among my most recent Every work can’t be a masterpiece. Sometimes you
pieces, with even bett er pieces on the horizon. Keep have to just let your subconscious have its way and let
moving forward in your art. the creativity fl ow from whatever small outlet it feels
Th at masterwork that you just don’t think you have inclined to at the moment. Great art doesn’t happen
the skills yet to tackle? You won’t gain those skills unless on a timeline. And I’m not talking about an individual
you try. Take it head on. Make the best att empt you painting that you fi nish for a client’s deadline. I’m talking
can or at least tackle a small portion or element of it. more about the overarching body of artwork and self-
Maybe it’s dramatic lighting. Maybe it’s multiple fi gures imposed expectations and time limits.
interact ing. Maybe it’s something small like a facial Make time for the litt le stuff ! For the gesture draw-
expression, or how to paint a tree. When you think you ings at the bus stop. For the scribbled thumbnails in your
have mastered that, move on to the next item on the list, pocket sketchbook when inspiration strikes at inoppor-
and the next, until you can face the behemoth. It might tune moments. For doodles on napkins at a cafe, or in the
be you’ll like the result. If you don’t, then fi gure out what margins of meeting notes at your day job or class. Enjoy
parts didn’t work for you. Learn to isolate the individual these litt le moments. Th ey will take your creativity to
asp ects that need to be worked on and then make that new heights.
your goal of improvement in the next piece.
7
Visit impact-books.com/DreamscapesFantasyWorlds to download free wallpaper art.
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Chapter One
MATERIALS &
TECHNIQUES
IT CAN BE A DAUNTING TASK TO SIT IN
front of a blank sheet of paper with the expectation
of creating something magical, yet possibilities and
inspiration lie all around you. From the myriad of
legends and stories of the past, to the works of other
artists, to the inherent beauty that exists in nature,
there is no shortage of places to look for ideas. Even the
mistakes you make when painting—those unplanned
and at times highly frustrating marks or spills—can be
utilized to create unexpected and unique results. So
while it certainly can be intimidating to stare at a stark
white piece of paper and wonder how your composition
will turn out in the end, don’t let fear hold you back.
Th e good news is this: By obtaining knowledge about
the tools of the trade and being familiar with the basic
watercolor techniques at your disposal, you can help ease
the transition from nebulous imagination to successful
painting. With time and experience, the medium will
simply become an extension of your imagination. Aft er
all, pract ice is the only way to turn a once-blank sheet of
paper into a colorful, whimsical and magical world fi lled
with iconic fi gures of fantasy.
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