Sketching

http://mollymaloney.blogspot.com/2012/02/speed-paintings.html?m=1

Sketching and Planning

According to Chris Van Winkle as described at: Keene Wilson's Insights of the "California School of Watercolor"

Sketching

Sketching before you paint reduces decision-making while painting.

There is no line in nature, yet sketchbook is all about line.

Sketch only the most important movements

Open up sketches to allow “passage” [linkage]

Side lighting creates a connecting large shadow shape that pulls sketch together.

Save whites.

Must improve your drawing to improve your watercolor.

Ways to Sketch Information sketches – not necessarily painting ideas. Value sketch – we are drawn to strong value contrasts. Speed Sketching – put down shadow first [value first] then line; this is usually all you need for watercolor Sketch with ink, and one direction shade lines – you will get better faster Line, add a dark rectangle [to bring out a portion, but not necessarily all, of foreground] Line … and value Light against dark or dark against light Line and shading Pure fun

"Lone Pine Alley" sketch by Chris van Winkle

Planning Your Painting

Design with the fewest possible lines

Try for a simple exaggerated likeness, a caricature of the scene.

Eliminate the fussy, fuzzy, inconsequential. What remains is the essence of the place.