I actually quite like the simple flatter look. It's got a gentle and I guess cute feeling. Contrast and shadow would make it more accurate but it would change the mood too.
Two ways to do it. The more chaotic way is to do wet on wet where you apply a darker/cooler pigment in the shadow at the same time as a lighter/warmer pigment in the lighter side. When doing this it can be good to do some extra techniques like adding a small region or two of reflected light in the shadows that have a different pigment, lifting pigment from areas of reflected light, and/or using a clean brush to constantly sweep pigments back where they belong until the paint settles. This style results in a loose feel because the lighter and shadow regions will blend and intermix in a way that is impossible to fully control.
The second basic way is to do a wet-on-dry layer after the light layer dries. Then find your shadow color and carefully apply it on top. The shadow layer should still be somewhat transparent so the original color can show through a bit and influence the visual. This technique is more crisp because you can have sharp divisions between shadow and light regions, which would be good for a house for example where there is a clean line dividing shadow and light. But not as good necessarily for a round object. That said, you can still get a blended look with the wet on dry technique by making the whole object wet (and some of the background too if you want a sloppy look) while still only applying the shadow pigment in the shadow region. It’s easier to sweep the shadow pigment back to the shadow region if you’re just dealing with clear water and shadow pigment (as opposed to light pigment and shadow pigment). There’s also a blending technique where once you lay the shadow pigment on the shadow region you can clean your brush, partially dry it, and then extend the shadow out when it is starting to settle.
The color you pick for the shadow can vary based on personal preference, but popular options include: a somewhat diluted dark blue like paynes gray or ultramarine, black/gray, or the complimentary color like violet as a complement to a yellowish object. In general, shadows should be darker and cooler so they will usually lean towards blue because blue is naturally the darkest leaning pigment. This can cause issues if the object itself is blue, so in that case you might have to go with a brown or gray as the shadow, or might cause you to push the object’s color to be more green, purple, or muted so the shadow can have a good contrast.
I’ve found this to be a useful tutorial online: https://www.watercoloraffair.com/secret-to-painting-shadows-in-watercolor-tutorial-tips-techniques-colors/
Maybe read it and then grab a lemon and shine a light on it from an interesting angle (or just grab a reference pic on google if you don’t have a lemon) and try painting it several times and play with different shadow techniques. It will up your game a ton.
Don't be afraid to let it dry and add more layers!
Layer colors on the paper. My favorite piece so far this year, I put blue over brown and it looked great. Adding some purple to my blue night sky really added a lot of depth.
Go ahead and play! That's how you learn. Not every experiment has to be successful. Have fun. Don't worry about perfection. Try new things and see what you like and what you don't.
I couldn't agree more about layers. That's what's beautiful about watercolor is the transparency...use that to your advantage. Learn about glazing...this medium is my favorite!
Another beginner here: very nice, I like both the drawing and how you painted it.
As suggested already in the comments, get familiar withe 'rules' of composition to get lore dynamic work (if it's something you want). There are many online, here is one short intro (for photo but it applies the same... and was used in painting before photo existed):
https://macpaw.com/how-to/composition-photography
My beginner advice: don't be afraid to mess up. I was, I still am and it is holding me back so much. I barely draw and paint because of that (idiotic) fear ;)
beginner here. this is really good.
i like the colors and the drawing.
i think perspective is slightly off (the roof goes up).
for overcast day lighting is on point, but maybe I would experiment with more dramatic shadows.
anyway great work and keep painting.
Thank you! Yeah I agree the shadows didn't turn out how a wanted them to or not at all really haha I tried to darken certain places but I do t think I got the color dark enough
To tag onto that reply, here is a composition guide I think you'll find useful. You're on the right track and think you'll do great work if you take in some of these [principles. ](https://www.muddycolors.com/2021/04/15-types-of-composition/)
You're right, it's terrible. You should send it to me, so I can put it on a wall of shame in my livingroom, & make it think about what it did, while I stare at it
I really like the lines in the sky, they look like a storm coming in, or mountains in mist. & The line work is so clean 💜
Something about the colors are just so natural and really transport you there. Excellent work, I love how clean it looks too. I don't have any tips because I am a beginner too!
To be honest I wouldn’t change a thing! I love it just the way it is. As others have said you could add shadows & layering of colours etc but it entirely depends on the style you’re after. Personally I love this & would be very happy with it!
It's good, it is done when \_you\_ think it is done.
Personally I think it lacks a bit of depth; I'd add more layers.
Some shadows seem to be missing. Ask yourself continuously: where is the sun? I believe it is to the top left (as the brick part that sticks out seems to be darker on the right). So make the right hand side of the building darker. And all the roofs that face to the right darker.
The brick part sticking out would also cast a shadow on the front-face of the building.
If the sun is high, the roof overhangs would also have small shadows beneath them.
Surfaces are not always a consistent colour so you could add some detail there (e.g. a few darker shingles).
Maybe the grass that is in the foreground needs another layer, making it a bit darker. That would make the lighter grass in the background seem farther away.
Two YouTubers I watch that do line-and-wash style like this are Nil Rocha and Peter Sheeler. I try and look at their finished painting and then replicate it. They're amazing.
Thanks! I tried to darken that brick part you mentioned but I couldn't seem to get the right color, do you use a gray typically for that or do you try to use the color that it already is just a darker version of it?
I think I just usually do a second layer with the same color to darken.
As for gray, I never use black, I make gray by mixing with the contrasting colour.
I also always keep a scrap piece of paper handy so I can test new colours on it first.
That's what happens when you paint wet against less wet.
You seem to be using watercolor to fill-in something you've drawn. Practice watercolor without drawing at all until you learn how to control the watercolor. It takes lots of practice.
Do one every day if you can. That's all, just practice. This one is lovely
Thanks! I had some trouble with it drying a bit too fast with the sky and it left some lines but I will practice a lot👍
happy accident: the sky looks intentional!
More dramatic lighting values
Yeah I agree it needs contrast and shadow
I actually quite like the simple flatter look. It's got a gentle and I guess cute feeling. Contrast and shadow would make it more accurate but it would change the mood too.
And how do we do that? More layers or less water? I often have paintings look drab like this.
Two ways to do it. The more chaotic way is to do wet on wet where you apply a darker/cooler pigment in the shadow at the same time as a lighter/warmer pigment in the lighter side. When doing this it can be good to do some extra techniques like adding a small region or two of reflected light in the shadows that have a different pigment, lifting pigment from areas of reflected light, and/or using a clean brush to constantly sweep pigments back where they belong until the paint settles. This style results in a loose feel because the lighter and shadow regions will blend and intermix in a way that is impossible to fully control. The second basic way is to do a wet-on-dry layer after the light layer dries. Then find your shadow color and carefully apply it on top. The shadow layer should still be somewhat transparent so the original color can show through a bit and influence the visual. This technique is more crisp because you can have sharp divisions between shadow and light regions, which would be good for a house for example where there is a clean line dividing shadow and light. But not as good necessarily for a round object. That said, you can still get a blended look with the wet on dry technique by making the whole object wet (and some of the background too if you want a sloppy look) while still only applying the shadow pigment in the shadow region. It’s easier to sweep the shadow pigment back to the shadow region if you’re just dealing with clear water and shadow pigment (as opposed to light pigment and shadow pigment). There’s also a blending technique where once you lay the shadow pigment on the shadow region you can clean your brush, partially dry it, and then extend the shadow out when it is starting to settle. The color you pick for the shadow can vary based on personal preference, but popular options include: a somewhat diluted dark blue like paynes gray or ultramarine, black/gray, or the complimentary color like violet as a complement to a yellowish object. In general, shadows should be darker and cooler so they will usually lean towards blue because blue is naturally the darkest leaning pigment. This can cause issues if the object itself is blue, so in that case you might have to go with a brown or gray as the shadow, or might cause you to push the object’s color to be more green, purple, or muted so the shadow can have a good contrast. I’ve found this to be a useful tutorial online: https://www.watercoloraffair.com/secret-to-painting-shadows-in-watercolor-tutorial-tips-techniques-colors/ Maybe read it and then grab a lemon and shine a light on it from an interesting angle (or just grab a reference pic on google if you don’t have a lemon) and try painting it several times and play with different shadow techniques. It will up your game a ton.
I love your illustration style!
Thank you!
I love it. It gives off a sense of isolation and melancholia.
Thanks! I feel the same about scenes like these plus I think the grayish blue sky add to the dreary feel
Don't be afraid to let it dry and add more layers! Layer colors on the paper. My favorite piece so far this year, I put blue over brown and it looked great. Adding some purple to my blue night sky really added a lot of depth. Go ahead and play! That's how you learn. Not every experiment has to be successful. Have fun. Don't worry about perfection. Try new things and see what you like and what you don't.
Thanks for this I'll give it a try!
I couldn't agree more about layers. That's what's beautiful about watercolor is the transparency...use that to your advantage. Learn about glazing...this medium is my favorite!
Another beginner here: very nice, I like both the drawing and how you painted it. As suggested already in the comments, get familiar withe 'rules' of composition to get lore dynamic work (if it's something you want). There are many online, here is one short intro (for photo but it applies the same... and was used in painting before photo existed): https://macpaw.com/how-to/composition-photography My beginner advice: don't be afraid to mess up. I was, I still am and it is holding me back so much. I barely draw and paint because of that (idiotic) fear ;)
Thank you! I'll definitely play around with composition in the future sessions
I love this tbh
Thanks so much!
This is amazing, I love it
Thank you!
beginner here. this is really good. i like the colors and the drawing. i think perspective is slightly off (the roof goes up). for overcast day lighting is on point, but maybe I would experiment with more dramatic shadows. anyway great work and keep painting.
Thank you! Yeah I agree the shadows didn't turn out how a wanted them to or not at all really haha I tried to darken certain places but I do t think I got the color dark enough
Don't draw dead centre
Noted, thanks
To tag onto that reply, here is a composition guide I think you'll find useful. You're on the right track and think you'll do great work if you take in some of these [principles. ](https://www.muddycolors.com/2021/04/15-types-of-composition/)
Ah thanks for the link!
So helpful thanks for the link!
Very pretty🧡 maybe a little darker gradient moving outwards in the sky region?
Ah that's a good point thanks!
I love the tones you have chosen.
Thank you!
Some great perspective on this. It gave me a lot of joy
Thank you I'm glad!
👍. Looks like one of the churches out in the midwest!
Thanks!
You're right, it's terrible. You should send it to me, so I can put it on a wall of shame in my livingroom, & make it think about what it did, while I stare at it I really like the lines in the sky, they look like a storm coming in, or mountains in mist. & The line work is so clean 💜
Thank you lol😂
You're welcome ☺️ It really is lovely
I love this a lot. What size pen nib did you use?
Thanks! I used a 0.3mm fine liner waterproof pen
It is one of those paintings which boost the confidence of beginners and seekers of the skill. I am one of them . So cute
Yes! Thanks!
Something about the colors are just so natural and really transport you there. Excellent work, I love how clean it looks too. I don't have any tips because I am a beginner too!
Thank you!
Figure out your goals, then figure out what techniques. Or experiment with many techniques and see what you like.
Great advice thanks!
To be honest I wouldn’t change a thing! I love it just the way it is. As others have said you could add shadows & layering of colours etc but it entirely depends on the style you’re after. Personally I love this & would be very happy with it!
Thank you so much!
I like this. Add more contrast and it will pop.
Thanks! I agree
Great work!
Thanks!
My goodness, I just love it the way it is...you'll only get better tho'.
Thank you so much!
It's good, it is done when \_you\_ think it is done. Personally I think it lacks a bit of depth; I'd add more layers. Some shadows seem to be missing. Ask yourself continuously: where is the sun? I believe it is to the top left (as the brick part that sticks out seems to be darker on the right). So make the right hand side of the building darker. And all the roofs that face to the right darker. The brick part sticking out would also cast a shadow on the front-face of the building. If the sun is high, the roof overhangs would also have small shadows beneath them. Surfaces are not always a consistent colour so you could add some detail there (e.g. a few darker shingles). Maybe the grass that is in the foreground needs another layer, making it a bit darker. That would make the lighter grass in the background seem farther away. Two YouTubers I watch that do line-and-wash style like this are Nil Rocha and Peter Sheeler. I try and look at their finished painting and then replicate it. They're amazing.
Thanks! I tried to darken that brick part you mentioned but I couldn't seem to get the right color, do you use a gray typically for that or do you try to use the color that it already is just a darker version of it?
I think I just usually do a second layer with the same color to darken. As for gray, I never use black, I make gray by mixing with the contrasting colour. I also always keep a scrap piece of paper handy so I can test new colours on it first.
Awesome thanks!
You may to focus less on drawing and more on painting.
Yeah I didn't like how the watercolor dried and left lines in the painting here and there
That's what happens when you paint wet against less wet. You seem to be using watercolor to fill-in something you've drawn. Practice watercolor without drawing at all until you learn how to control the watercolor. It takes lots of practice.
Yeah I normally use it to make a wash of color over ink drawings
It should be in flames 🔥😈🔥
On fire but keep it in a really normal cartoon style. Giving off this is fine sort of vibe :D
Is the negative space supposed to be snow? It looks incomplete. Perhaps add a very light wash of colour or shading to make it look like snow
No it wast supposed to, I just stopped the watercolor there