Using Strong Darks

Many watercolor students are afraid of strong darks.  They hesitate to use enough paint to achieve the dark value the first time.  Or sometimes it's just that they don't know where the darkest tones should be employed.  That's where the value sketch comes in.

In this outdoor still life, the life preserver ring and the block and tackle are my focal points.  The dark background of the wooden log supporting the ring helps focus the eye's attention on the life preserver.  The metal hook and shadows on the tackle highlight the front of the wooden tackle.

At this point the hard work of the painting is done.  I know where the lightest values are going to be and the darks that will surround the subjects.  Doing the drawing will be important, but the painting process is once again planned.  Study is its own reward!

Painting tomorrow!