Last week I taught you how to squint at the photo to break it down to a black and white image. With that exercise under your belt, I now would like for you to do it again and then paint it in one color. I recommend to use a black or brown watercolor, but it can be done in any color you would like.
Doing a one color study helps you in seeing
the large black and white value pattern. It also makes you concentrate more on the value pattern of the painting, instead of worrying about what colors to use.
A small sketch in one color is a great way of doing a value study before you start a big painting. It will help you to see if the large painting will hold together. It is much better to make the mistakes on a one color sketch done on a small sheet of paper, instead of working large where if you make a
mistake it is amplified.
I tell all my students no matter how advanced to every now and then do a one color study, it is great practice for every artist.
Watch the video below to see how I take an image, posterize it and then paint it in one color.
Happy one color painting!
David
