Abstract, Contact, Watercolor

Another recap of a spring class, this one from May when we created abstracts on illustration board.

watercolor, wax, marker on illustration board

The process begins by rubbing blocks of wax around the surface of illustration board, creating an unseen design with the edges, sides and corners of the wax blocks.

student, drawing their design

design drawn on contact paper

After that the entire surface is covered with contact paper and the design is drawn onto the contact.

removing contact layer with x-acto knife

After selecting a color scheme then the contact paper is removed, section by section, using an x-acto knife and watercolor paint is applied.

student adding color to their design

watercolor added, wax design showing

When the paint is added then the wax design pops out from underneath as white lines and dappled areas of color.

still adding paint

adding more color

almost finished

As one area dries we moved on to a different section until the entire piece is covered with paint – if that’s what the painter desired. When the painting is done then the areas can be detailed and/or outlined with marker, paint or ink if desired.