The Process

Loose Line and Wash paintings begin with inspiration. Selecting the best angles of the architectural subjects to provide a dynamic scene filled with movement and interest. Sometimes I may select simple scenes to have a quick win and sometimes I select scenes with immense details.

Optionally, the scene is sketched with a pencil. Pen is permanent and that can be intimidating, so I’ll occasionally use pencil guides. I prefer a 2H drafting lead holder to keep lines light and erasable. Not all details are rendered in pencil. I will often just block out general shapes to get the sense of the scene.

I draw perspective guide lines loosely and never use a ruler. I simply imagine a point off the paper on the horizon line and train my hand back and forth until touching down. Perspective is not as hard as you’d think!

The inked line work is performed with Sakura fine liner technical pens. I like to use 0.5mm for most lines. Thicker lines are drawn up front and thin lines farther away to convey a sense of distance. Since fine liners are waterproof they tend not to smear or dissolve.

Finally, the most exciting part - the wash. Windsor and Newton watercolors paint the scenes. My favorite mix is Ultramarine and Burnt Umber. It creates a beautiful shadow without appearing dull. I use a limited palette - 12 colors.

I learned to paint & mix colors from my grandfather, who was a master painter and mixer. He mixed paint for a living.

Occasionally I will paint “Plein Air” - on location, the true “Urban Sketching” but typically I paint in the studio from photographs.

Portrait by Sarah Barr Photography, used with permission