Drawing
Lesson: Textured Background Technique
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In
this lesson, I will describe a technique for creating
an interesting background for a pencil drawing using
gesso and watercolor paints.
Click HERE for
a close up of this drawing to see the details.
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Supplies:
- Illustration
Board, white
- Gesso
- Watercolor
paints
- Large
watercolor brush
- Rag
or paper towel for blotting
- Graphite
drawing pencils
- White
colored pencil
|
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Directions:
1. Using a large brush, scrub
the gesso onto the illustration board, using a circular
motion. Do not smooth it out - create an interesting texture.
Let dry completely.
| 2.
Decide on a color scheme for your background.
You may use 2 or 3 colors. |
Analogous
color schemes are nice for this project. Some examples
are:
- Blue-green-yellow
- Red-violet-blue
- Red-orange-yellow
- Green-yellow-orange
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3. Liberally brush
the surface of the prepared board with watered down watercolor
paints in your chosen color scheme. Mix and blend the colors.
4. Blot the board
with the rag or paper towels, creating a mottled effect. Don't
rub all of the paint off.
5. Let dry completely.
| 6.
Now you are ready to create a pencil drawing over this
prepared background. Choose your subject and go at it! |
Some
hints for this project:
- Draw
and shade with the graphite pencils.
- Add
hightlights with the white colored pencil.
- You
may add another dark colored pencil to this drawing
that is part of your background color scheme.
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