Next Step - Getting Ready to Paint

Transferring the image to watercolor paper can sometimes be very tedious. Because the paper is somewhat fragile, one has to be careful. But first.....

I scan the final drawing into Photoshop, which will have to be done in segments since my scanner bed is only 8" x 12". Once that is done, I then resize the image to that of the painting. In this case the painting will be approximately 20" x 28".

Next, I will print it out in sections, then tape it together. Voila, I now have my image to trace.

I use graphite paper to lightly trace the image onto the w/c paper. I try to be careful to press very lightly, and I don't transfer everything...some things I will paint freehand, like the blossoms, branches and bricks, and other small items, but I need the traced guideline when doing a structure. The graphite is erasable, but even though I'm using 300 lb paper which is pretty tough, I still am aware that erasing will change the surface of the paper, so the less, the better.

I find a lot of my individuality comes from the application of the paint...knowing when to go wet or dry, selection and mixing of colors. I don't want to transfer so much of the image that it seems like a paint by number, even though I did the drawing, but sometimes I have trouble drawing straight lines so I really work hard at getting the lines correct.

Another part of the "prep" before painting sometimes involves the application of masking fluid, especially in this type of painting that has many levels. But more on that when the time comes.

I hope to have all this prep work done before I start the painting in the library.