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Description
Semi-process, and close ups for my Dainty Halloween contest entry! Sorry the resolution isn't that great rip.
fav.me/dbs1jcq

So this is a technique I learned from my college art professor, who does layered watercolor on a graphite base. I know there are probably other artists who do this as well, and it's quite a popular way to work from what I've seen in school.

I really like it because I find it difficult to control watercolor, but I love the texture it creates! Here I aim to create the level of detail I achieve through my graphite works, but incorporate the texture of watercolor.
What I usually start off with is a detailed pencil sketch of the entire picture, because I feel the most confident rendering in graphite.
I then use matte medium to seal the graphite drawing. It's good to apply the medium in short strokes, otherwise it smears and smudges.
Afterwards, it's pretty simple - I paint layers of watercolor over the graphite layer. *My prof actually seals every layer of watercolor to create a more solid color, but I wanted to preserve the texture, so I usually only seal the drawing twice: Once for the graphite layer, and once after I am done.
Once I seal the painting (I use matte medium, not gloss because once again, I want to preserve texture), I use white watercolor to apply reflection and shine, although I didn't do much of that in this particular painting.
AFter, I scan it into my laptop and digitally edit it slightly using photoshop

I generally only use one brush to paint with, my Kolinsky size 4 watercolor brush, and a larger, artificial soft brush.
The entire graphite drawing was done in 2B graphite.

Species belongs to Kiwi-adopts

Description
Semi-process, and close ups for my Dainty Halloween contest entry! Sorry the resolution isn't that great rip.
fav.me/dbs1jcq

So this is a technique I learned from my college art professor, who does layered watercolor on a graphite base. I know there are probably other artists who do this as well, and it's quite a popular way to work from what I've seen in school.

I really like it because I find it difficult to control watercolor, but I love the texture it creates! Here I aim to create the level of detail I achieve through my graphite works, but incorporate the texture of watercolor.
What I usually start off with is a detailed pencil sketch of the entire picture, because I feel the most confident rendering in graphite.
I then use matte medium to seal the graphite drawing. It's good to apply the medium in short strokes, otherwise it smears and smudges.
Afterwards, it's pretty simple - I paint layers of watercolor over the graphite layer. *My prof actually seals every layer of watercolor to create a more solid color, but I wanted to preserve the texture, so I usually only seal the drawing twice: Once for the graphite layer, and once after I am done.
Once I seal the painting (I use matte medium, not gloss because once again, I want to preserve texture), I use white watercolor to apply reflection and shine, although I didn't do much of that in this particular painting.
AFter, I scan it into my laptop and digitally edit it slightly using photoshop

I generally only use one brush to paint with, my Kolinsky size 4 watercolor brush, and a larger, artificial soft brush.
The entire graphite drawing was done in 2B graphite.

Species belongs to Kiwi-adopts