BetterDayBooksWinter2024

98 MODERN WATERCOOR WORKSHOP 99 MATERIALS BRUSH: Size 6 round brush PAPER: 8” x 10” (20 x 25 cm), cold pressed; or use a smaller size, such as 8” x 8” (20 x 20 cm) or 5” x 7” (13 x 18 cm), if you are short on time COLORS: Honeycomb Hexagons This pattern will strengthen your ability to draw freehand hexagons and to paint in layers using color gradation. We will paint overlapping hexagons of varying sizes to build a final piece in layers. I have chosen three shades of blue to paint this pattern in a cool color scheme. We will use gradient values of each of these colors, going from light to dark. The idea is to begin with the lightest shades and progress toward the “purest” pigment as we fill up the page. Geometric Patterns Primary Blue Cyan Turquoise Cobalt Cobalt Blue Green TIP: The way you begin is very important for this pattern. Make sure you start out with the lightest possible wash for all three of your blues. This will ensure that there is translucency and depth in your pattern. Keep in mind that you need to end the pattern in the center of the page, so place your hexagons accordingly. 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 178 MODERN WATERCOOR WORKSHOP 5 Continue onto the second column. Once you finish the first column, leave a small gap and start painting the hearts again from the top of the second column. Keep color balance in mind—don’t start the new column with the same color you started the first column. 7 Paint the third column. Move on to the next column and repeat the process. Be careful to keep the sizes of your hearts consistent between the three columns and to not make one column more densely packed than another. 6 Get into a good flow. At the start, it may take a while to choose colors and place stems and hearts, but as you sink into the process, the hearts will start falling into place naturally. Keep the stems curved at all times to make them look graceful. 8 Paint the final column. If you are using a sheet of paper with columns like mine, this will probably be your last column. As I reached the end of this piece, I thought I had a good mix of all the colors and that the pattern looked bold and vibrant. Let’sPaint 179 String of Hearts 101 Project Name Goes Here This pattern is inspired by the beautiful hexagonal honeycombs that honeybees build using beeswax created by worker bees. I absolutely admire the perfection and efficiency with which bees create this structure. I am not a honeybee expert, so we will leave the “how” part of it for some other day. I am content just to use the natural honeycomb pattern as an inspiration for this piece! Think of all the manmade objects that have been inspired by the honeycomb pattern—I am sure you see this pattern every now and then in your daily life. As you build this pattern in layers, try to channel the confidence of a worker bee building a hive using its innate instincts. Let’s Relax Painting made easy! Readers will work their way through beginner, intermediate, and advanced projects with confidence as they follow the author’s carefully considered teachings The author teaches not only how to master painting techniques but also how to encourage creative flow, making watercolor into a relaxing and rewarding experience With a focus on patterns, readers will learn how to paint simple shapes and then repeat them to create fully developed compositions ready for framing and gifting ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pooja Kenjale-Umrani is a professional watercolor artist, licensed surface designer, brand ambassador, and art instructor who has conducted workshops across Canada, India, and the US and has taught more than 20,000 students worldwide via Skillshare. A popular content creator, Pooja is committed to spreading joy through art and enjoys delivering daily painting inspiration on Instagram to her growing fan base of over 117,000 dedicated followers. Learn more at www.bythelakesideartstudio.com and on Instagram @by_the_lakeside. BETTER DAY BOOKS • 3