plate no. 6660
I WONDER
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the cat's head, ears, and eyes.
- step 02
Refine the sketch, paying attention to the proportions and placement of features.
- step 03
Begin adding shading with light, parallel lines to define the form.
- step 04
Build up darker values by layering more lines, varying the pressure and spacing.
- step 05
Use cross-hatching in areas of deeper shadow to create depth.
- step 06
Add details like whiskers and subtle fur textures with fine lines.
- step 07
Soften edges where needed by gently blending the lines with a blending stump or finger.
- step 08
Add the background with loose, expressive strokes.
color palette
primary · sepia · white
secondary ·
Vary the intensity of the sepia by diluting it with water or blending it with white to create lighter tones.
techniques
- ·Hatching
- ·Cross-hatching
- ·Line variation
- ·Blending
- ·Value layering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the loose, expressive quality.
- →Making the lines too uniform and lacking variation.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the animal's features.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of soft shading.
materials
surface · Watercolor paper 140lb
required
- ·Sepia ink or watercolor
- ·White gouache or watercolor
- ·Round brush (various sizes)
- ·Watercolor paper
- ·Pencil
- ·Eraser
optional
- ·Blending stump
- ·Palette
Experiment with different types of paper to see how they affect the ink or watercolor. Use a light touch when sketching to avoid damaging the paper.
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