Water application:
Once the wash has completely dried, reapply water only to the inside of the drop, allow the pigment to soften then lift out the color from in the inside using a No. 14 synthetic brush, you can vary the size and type brush (acrylic brushes, q-tips and paper towels work—anything to lift color out.
How to Paint a Water Drop | by Birgit O’Connor
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Inspired by flowers in her garden, these bold splashes of watercolor by Birgit O’Connor make very interesting compositions. To see more floral painting demonstrations from O’Connor, see “Fancy Flowers” in The Artist’s Magazine (March 2008).
Summer Rain (watercolor, 22×40)
How to Paint a Water Drop
By Birgit O’Connor
There is a very simple painting technique you can use to add water drops to a painting. A realistic water drop creates a three-dimensional illusion and leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.
Get an idea of how this technique works by doing this simple painting exercise.
Materials you need
- Masking fluid
- 1/8 sheet Arches paper
- Large wash brush
- No. 8 and No.14 synthetic brushes
- Incredible nib or bamboo drawing pen
- Color: permanent alizarin crimson, indigo
Draw the drop:
Draw an oblong circle approximately 1 inch long, (MM) and then place a small dot of masking in the upper left hand corner.
Crimson Wash:
After the masking fluid has completely dried, apply a wash of permanent alizarin crimson over the entire area extending past the drop approximately 4 inches (MM) on either side, leave enough room on the outside edges so the effect is not hindered and the drop can stand out.
Water application:
Once the wash has completely dried, reapply water only to the inside of the drop, allow the pigment to soften then lift out the color from in the inside using a No. 14 synthetic brush, you can vary the size and type brush (acrylic brushes, q-tips and paper towels work—anything to lift color out.
Add shadow:
Before adding the shadow allow the drop to completely dry again or the color can bleed back in. You want a nice crisp line. Using a No. 8 synthetic with a mixture of permanent alizarin crimson and a small amount of indigo, then add the shadow just below the drop, tapering up the side to define the edge.
Add color to shadow:
Now remove the masking from the drop and lift some color out of the shadow. This helps to show light refracting through the drop.
This demonstration is excerpted from Birgit O’Connor‘s book Watercolor in Motion (North Light Books, 2008). Don’t miss her other online demo : Painting Flowers Step by Step: Radiant Reds.
MORE RESOURCES FOR ARTISTS
How to Paint Realistic Water Drops
Welcome to How to Paint Realistic Water Drops by Noah Elias. This masterclass will provide you the fast-track skills to create jaw-dropping water drops on your paintings. This technique can be applied whether you use pencils, charcoal, oils or acrylics.
What to expect: When I was painting one of my large floral images it dawned on me that there are artists looking to create just water drops. So, I decided to make a short masterclass on just this subject. This masterclass will reveal my approach to lighting and shadows with just a couple of colors. You will be watching over my shoulder during one of my real-life commissioned paintings.
A word from Noah: I once had a student ask, “How do you paint water?” I had to confess to him that I don’t paint water; I paint what I see in the image. Just shapes and values. After a while, it looks like water.
My friend, If you have been looking to learn tricks and special effects with your painting, you’ve arrived at the right place. In this masterclass, you’ll understand water drops and how to create them out of thin air. (excuse the pun)
*Note: If you are a beginner I would encourage you to first take the “Intro To Airbrushing” course to get your fundamentals down to ensure your confidence when attempting to dive into these water drops. However, you might just want to sit back and watch to gain an understanding of what’s needed to achieve this level of execution.
Pro tip: The key to this technique is to look and match your reference. Matching the lighting patterns and shadows is paramount to the realism of the drops. If you guess and “make up” random water drops you can easily cancel out the believability of your work.
