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LUATHarts — Yellow
Published: 2013-07-12 00:41:05 +0000 UTC; Views: 679; Favourites: 15; Downloads: 0
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Description
Third installment into The Color Wheel Dragons project.Now all the primary colors are done! Yay!
Not as happy with the background on this one, however. I tried, failed at a new water coloring technique called dropping color. Basically what I did is, I went over with a light lavender colored wash, then I mixed in a few darker colors and dropped them in with the tip of my brush, but I guess I went a bit too heavy in a few areas. In other areas, I got a cool effect, but the over all background turned out waaaay too dark.
Alright, so any water color users, if you can give me some feedback on what I did wrong and how not to do it again.
MEDIUM
Chinese water colors
Prisma colored pencils
Archival ink
© Sarah Van Horn (~LUATHarts )
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Comments: 40
Oh thank you very much. X3
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Whoa! I love it! The design is especially awesome! C:
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Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy him.
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Yay! You're welcome!
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Okay, this is INSANE! Your coloring technique and shading is just so incredible! The expression is strong and I feel like it is staring right through me! Great job......
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Oh may gawd, that was like... one of the best comments I've ever gotten!
I'm so extremely glad you like it; Thank you so much!
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You are most welcome, you did a phenomenal job on this!
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this looks really cool! I like the background, I think the different shades really have a nice effect.
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Thank you so very much! I'm glad you like it.
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Wow I really love the expression of it
And the colours are fantastic, yellow suits him ^^
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Thank you, I was trying to go for that air elemental Eastern dragon.
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Wow I really love the expression of it
And the colours are fantastic, yellow suits him ^^
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The facial features are excellently shaded. They really pop out.
As for the background, it may be due to the type of paper you used. Watercolour paper, though more expensive than typical sketch paper, allows for techniques to work effectively and as planned (even though it can be a very unpredictable medium). Even then, you don't even have to use paper labeled as "watercolour paper." It's all about absorption. If you can find a paper which does not absorb water as much, it might work better. If that's not really a current option, you could just water down the darker colours a bit more.
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Thank you so much!
I'm pretty sure it was/is the type of paper I was using. It wasn't watercolor paper but regular sketchbook paper.
When you say "you don't have to use paper labeled as "watercolor paper" ", what other kind of paper works well with watercolor? Does thickness and texture of the paper usually matter with this type of medium?
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In my opinion (from experience) thickness is one of the key factors. Thin paper which you can almost see through clearly won't work as well as something closer to cardstock. As for texture, It does have an effect on how the painting turns out, but it isn't necessary for watercolour. There are types of watercolour paper with smooth textures. I personally love textured cold press watercolour paper. Sadly, I can't tell you the exact name of the types of papers I use (as I do not even know, they're usually scraps from my school), but I have encountered papers that are very similar to each other in appearance, but very different when applying water-media.
I recommend trying out different papers (if you can) and testing with watercolour on the back or such. If it remains wet after a few seconds, and you can basically apply water to it and wipe it off with a paper towel, it's good paper for using. If it absorbs the colour immediately and you cannot remove it, it won't work too well. Now, this method works for me, since I normally use very small sheets of paper (the biggest size I usually go is the size of regular printer paper, or the occasional A3). If you like using bigger paper for drawing on a larger scale, it might not work out as well experimenting (though edges can be a safe bet).
Sorry for the tons of information.
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Yeah I can see where the paper warp, just like with mine. Since all I've been having is sketchbook paper to do this on, I've been ironing out all of my pictures.
Oh no! I appreciate all of the little tidbits you've given! Very, very helpful, and I'll definitely being using them in the future, thank you so much!
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i love this beaut, and the background looks fine, i especially love the colour its very rich and deep
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Thanks! Out of the other two, i think this one did turn out the best.
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Thank you so much! 
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The darkness of the background works though. It makes the yellow/gold stand out more and contrast against the dark violet. Very nice, Cyra!!!!!!!!
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I don't think it's too dark, it gives a nice contrast with the dragon. And what a dragon! He's so golden and fluffy and majestic and and and beautiful!
I don't know if you have ever heard of the salt/pepper technique, but basically, dropping one of these over the damp watercolour and letting it dry can give very interesting effects and textures.
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Oh yeah! I have read about that technique in one of my art books, but I had totally forgotten about it til you mentioned it.
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You're welcome!
Your art deserves so much love!
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As does yours! So much of this 
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Woah this one is the most impressive by far! I love the stormy atmosphere of the background, I don't think it is too dark, imho it fits him very well. As for the dragon I really love how you did fur and his face - looks very proud yet kinda cute :3
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Thank you so much! I was trying to go for a softer background, but hell if you think it looks fine the way it is, then I say mission successful! and thank you for favin!
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Thank you very much! And for the fav too!
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