Page 101 - The Decorative Painter Summer 2014
P. 101
WATERCOLOR
Negative
Space
DOLORES LENNON mda
How do we create shape? We can paint it ... or we can paint everything around it.
In this painting, we will be working in negative space. We will make the background foliage and the foreground flow- ers emerge by painting around the irises, rather than painting
their positive shapes first.
PREPARATION
Carefully trace the pattern onto the tracing paper. Transfer all the solid lines of the design to the watercolor paper. Using drafting tape, secure the top of your tracing to the watercolor paper. This is important; you do not want to lose your pattern’s position as you transfer the design. You need only transfer the irises, stems, and some leaves at this point.
photos/steve gerig
