Week 3 of Beetles, Bees & Brushstrokes

Watercolor Techniques for Painting Butterflies

1. Layered Gradients

• Create a smooth gradient wash across the wing using a single color, then build up depth by adding more layers once the first has dried.

• For variation, integrate multiple colors within the gradient to create a natural, luminous effect.

2. Masking Fluid

• Apply masking fluid to areas of the wing that should remain white or highlight details.

• Use a blue masking fluid for better visibility and to help preserve brightness on the paper.

• Allow the paint to dry completely before removing the masking fluid by gently rubbing with your finger or a white eraser.

  
  

3. Dry Brush Texture

• Load the brush lightly with paint and hold it horizontally.

• Rub the brush over the surface of the paper to create organic, broken textures.

• This method is a simple way to add natural-looking texture to wings without painting every detail.

4. Stippling for Wing Patterns

• Hold the brush vertically, with the tip pointing straight down.

• Use an up-and-down motion to place small dots across the surface of the wing.

• Allow some dots to touch and others to stand apart; when the paint is wet enough, the dots will softly spread and merge.

• Mix different colors while stippling to add variety and natural-looking variation in the pattern.

5. Glazing for Transparency and Shadows

• Apply thin, transparent layers of color (such as blues and purples) over dried washes to create shadows and depth.

• Use glazing to suggest translucency, such as one wing overlapping another.

• This technique enhances luminosity and adds a beautiful layered effect.

Insect source images.pdf

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Insect sketches 5 x 7.pdf

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8 x 10 insect sketches.pdf

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