Party Lizard (top) and
Party Dragon (bottom),
12/30/2006, 2.5″ x 3.5″ (ACEO), watercolor on 90# Canson

 

 

 

 

These two party boys are helping me with an experiment in shading. On top, I used multiple glazes of a single color (sap green) to simulate shadows. On the bottom, I used an underpainting of diox purple to create shadows under the sap green.

Notes for later: I think I prefer the richer darks the underpainting provides. Next time, I’ll try using Payne’s grey instead of diox purple. The yellow ballon is too bright, but a glaze of burnt sienna should tone it down. The wings are a little too low on the back, and need more structure.