I am mainly an acrylic and oil painter, hence the title, "Practice Session...".

Supplies:

Prismacolor watercolor pencils (another brand may do as well)
brushes--various sizes
sharpener
container of water
support--I used illustration board; you can use watercolor paper if you prefer
No 2 or other pencil--I did not use the no 2 pencil at all; maybe you will
.

Procedure:

1. Using a box cutter, I cut the illustration board to about 6x9 inches. Then I tape around the edges, pressing firmly so the watercolor will not seep under the edges. At least I hope it won't.

2. I locate a section of a small tree. I choose this subject because of the sun shining through some of the leaves, and because I am able to sit in the shade, shielded from the solar glare.



3. Using Sunburst Yellow, I begin to sketch the shape of the leaves and stem. This is so different from oil and acrylic that I am hesitant. I fill in with the same yellow, then select Spring Green and start scribbling inside the leaves. I begin to add Carmine Red. What am I doing? I miss oils right now.





4. After working for a while on the leaves and stems, I go to the bottom of the page and play around, putting in a heart-leaf in red yellow and an impressionistic leaf in green and other colors. By now I am not concerned with how it looks, and I put in a few dots, first in green, then in blue. I am now engaginng in a form of pointillism.



5. While putting in the dots, I continually dip the pencil into the container of water. Remember that these are watercolor pencils; therefore, they may be dipped in water. I also take a worn filbert, dip it, sling excess water into the grass, and spread the color that has been applied by the pencil.



Here is the finished exercise. It is not intended to be a masterpiece, just a practice piece. I have also posted detail shots.


And some closeups:


Visit LouisianaPainter.com for more of Lenora's art.