Simplifying Your Painting: Sketch and Paint 5 Complex Watercolor Landscapes

Hi, I'm Darren from Watercolour Mentor and welcome to the class. Have you ever struggled to paint from a complex reference photo or scenery? Ever wondered how you can paint quickly and loosely while still retaining accuracy and perspective? Trying to emulate a reference photo/scene exactly is a recipe for disappointment!

In this class we're going to make difficult subjects fun to paint. We will be simplifying and painting some COMPLEX landscapes with a combination of multiple buildings, trees, figures and small details. By the end of this class, you'll see how easy it is to break down a scene into large shapes which you can use as a foundation for your painting. This class will provide step-by-step instructions and tips that will build your confidence in sketching and painting complex landscapes. You will understand how to reduce down details, exaggerate shadows and other features to create a loose, atmospheric painting.

In this class we will cover:

• How to create a simplified pencil sketch from 5 complex reference photographs.
• How to paint houses and indicate details with minimal brushstrokes.
• How to use tone to imply shadows, contrast and draw attention to certain areas of your painting.
• How to paint shadows and light.
• How to compose or come up with a unique design for your painting, by deciding what to incorporate from your reference photo and what to leave out.
• Using complementary colors to create vibrant contrasts in your paintings.
• How to use essential watercolor techniques and processes such as; layering and glazing, wet-in-wet and wet-in-dry.

I have a lot of knowledge and tips that I would like to share with you. I'll see you in the class!