Free how to paint a picture of an old-time prospector, an art lesson, and a printable watercolor worksheet.
The old-time prospector is a project that can help the young artist or a beginner become more confident in basic watercolor art. It is a picture of a person of character, not just a pretty face but a regular guy. As an artist, you will find yourself doing more portraits of everyday people than the glamorous movie star types. This project uses only a few colors so it is simple.
A WORD ABOUT PRINTING THE WORKSHEET
If you have problems printing CLICK HERE to visit my how-to-print page for some suggestions or try the updated PDF link below that should print better.
CLICK HERE for a PDF file.
Sign your work about an inch up from the bottom that way there is room for the frame.
(c) Adron D. 3/2/20
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| Free how-to-paint a picture of an old-time prospector worksheet. |
My printables are free, so print as many as you like. They take a lot of my time. I often have to create several images before I get the right one for an illustration. It is a lot of work, but I am glad to have the opportunity to inspire others.
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SUPPLY LIST
You can use any watercolor paint. I prefer my small Windsor Newton paint set; it has a nice selection of colors. I also use Grumbacher Paints in the tubes. You can easily find these at any craft store like Lobby Hobby or Michaels. (Look for coupons online.) You can collect lots of paintbrushes, but it is better at the start to keep it simple with a few small, medium, and medium-large brushes and a combination of flats as well as rounded paintbrushes. For these art lessons, I use Strathmore series 300 Watercolor paper. It is economical and available at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and online.
BEGINNINGS
Trace the design onto 140-pound watercolor paper. It is a heavy paper that will not buckle. If you have trouble tracing though the paper, try holding it against a window with the light shining behind it, and then you should be able to trace it easily.
PRINTABLE ART LESSON NOTES.
BEGINNINGS
Trace the design onto 140-pound watercolor paper. It is a heavy paper that will not buckle. If you have trouble tracing though the paper, try holding it against a window with the light shining behind it, and then you should be able to trace it easily.
I like to take my time when I paint a picture and sometimes I even let one stage dry for a day before I do the next stage. If you do not have the time to wait for it to dry sometimes you can hurry the drying with a hairdryer.
BACKGROUND
Keep the background a little wild, I chose blue and violet but you can use greens, yellows, or any other colors. Keep the color watery and use a zigzaggy stroke to put the color on the paper. Be careful not to get into the figure. In the same way mix in some watery lavender or another second color that is close to the first- this is to give the background interest and movement. Leave it watery so the colors blend on their own.
LET IT DRY
FIRST WASH
FIRST WASH
Keep the colors light and watery at this stage. Work carefully so colors do not mix. Keep tissue nearby to blot up any that is not doing what you want. Use brownish-yellow for the hat and gloves. Light brown for the face. Light blue for the shirt and violet for the pants. Use a light brown for the coat. The only place that is dark at this stage is the belt, use a purple-brown color. While the coat is still wet add a little watery red or orange and let it blend on it's a little. Add a little watery purple to the pants and let it blend a little too. This makes it look not flat and interesting.
SECOND WASH
SECOND WASH
Let the first wash dry. If it is a little damp that is ok. TAKE YOUR TIME ON THIS STEP. Decide where you want the shadows to be. In my example, the light is from the right so the shadows are on the left. Make the same colors you used before darker by adding blues purples violets and browns. You may have to mix these colors yourself. Use a small brush and add darker browns to the face on the shadow side, beside the nose, and under the chin. Use purple-brown for the shadows on the coat. Use violet for the shadows on the shirt. and use purple-blue for the shadows on the pants.
Save the facial features for the finish.
After the shadows developed then add with the tip of your small brush a LITTLE black- but be careful you do not want much since it will take the brilliance out of your colors.
After the shadows developed then add with the tip of your small brush a LITTLE black- but be careful you do not want much since it will take the brilliance out of your colors.
NOW TAKE A BREAK AND GET SOME EXERCISE
After you take a break come back and look at it with fresh eyes. Correct or finish anything that needs a little attention.
DETAILS AND FINISHING TOUCHES
Mix a little black with brown and use the tip of your brush and draw the features of the face: the eyes, eyebrows, and hair. In the same way use the tip of your brush to add dark edges to the glove, the canteen, and the clothes. Use an almost dry brush to add the green and red to the canteen and the red on the hat.
Sign your work about an inch up from the bottom that way there is room for the frame.
(c) Adron D. 3/2/20
