subsurface scattering/glow in watercolors?
-
@washu Hello Washu - this is not a water color specific answer but this guy is really in class of his own when it comes to explaining light and how it acts ways to paint it - lesson 4 is all about translucent properties - i skipped this class for a long time because the frog image did not grab me - but i should have watched it when i first started - here is a link and also the description of lesson 4 -
https://www.schoolism.com/school.php?id=3
Lesson 4 - Translucent Properties
In this lesson, we'll talk about translucent and transparent surfaces. I'll go into more detail about Fresnel reflection and refraction, including caustic effects. We'll learn simple ways to handle chromatic distortion and iridescence. I will demonstrate how to paint sub-surface scattering and density variations and talk about the laws that cause them. For your assignment, you will be asked to paint a simple scene of objects with various types of translucency. -
Hi washu! How familiar are you with water colors? In the link you posted it seems like it would be a matter of getting soft transitions on the interior of the object, and getting some firmer edges on the silhouette and the details. I would suggest looking at iraville videos on youtube. While I'm not sure if she demonstrates translucent materials specifically, the different techniques she applies- getting soft transitions, using masking fluid, getting in sharper edges, would probably be similar to the technique you would use to get a glowing affect. I believe saturation and hue would play a big part as well. I would take the reference image you linked (it looks like the artist you linked has a great variety of these glowy objects, and will be great for study purposes) and color sample them in photoshop to see what is happening with the saturation/ value levels of the translucent objects you are trying to replicate along the environment they are in. Notice how in these images some of the environment colors are integrated into the colors of the object. Notice how in most cases the object is more saturated than it's immediate background, or if it's not, the hue is warmer than the background. It may be helpful to do studies of the these paintings. As Lee said, doing some still life studies would help. Grapes, gummy bears, play dough, certain toys, etc, with a strong light source behind them may do the trick to observe what you are trying to achieve. Or glass objects, if you are trying to portray a shinier surface.
-
I recommend looking for a book called "atmospheric Watercolors" by Jean Haines. I bought my copy on Amazon
-
@andy-gray, good point, I think I need to clarify. When I say "from life", what I mean is from reference (or something you can actually see). As in don't try to make it up. A careful analysis of a good reference photo is all that is typically needed to get moving in the right direction.
-
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your advice!
@TessaW I'm a beginner in watercolors, I only know how to keep them from running off the paper. lol But I'm not new to color and light, and I can paint both digitally and in acrylics.
I will certainly practice more and study from toys, that's a good idea. I'll have to pick up some translucent rubber toys from the thrift store to photograph in sunlight. My purpose for asking this was so I could paint my octopus character to look translucent. I decided for the contest that I would paint it digitally and work on watercolor techniques when I don't have a deadline to meet.
-
@andy-gray Yes, yes, yes! Rodney Matthews is awesome! My "dream portfolio" has artists like Arthur Rackham, Michael Hague, Tasha Tudor, Rodney Matthews, Aeppol, Tujiki Nao, and Kinoko Y Craft. I love the watercolor pen and ink style the best. I prefer brighter, more saturated colors colors though. I am greatly influenced by manga art too, and what first drew me to the manga art was the bright colors.
I definitely do not want photo realistic art, I want more comic art. The ~closest~ reference to what I'd love my style to develop into would be a Korean artist who goes by Aeppol. I think s/he works digitally, but since I can't read Korean and I can't find a bio to translate, I don't know for sure how they work. My characters will have a more comic book appearance to them though, compared to Aeppol. -
@washu Just checked out Aeppol. WOW. What beautiful work! Found out a little--female and deliberately keeps her real identity hidden. Haven't found out the medium yet. thanks--I always love to discover new amazing artists!
-
For "how-to" books on watercolours, i recommended the artist Claudia Nice- I find her work amazing and well-explained.
-
@surfshineart I agree. I have a couple of her books on water color pen and inks.
-
@eli I'm glad you like it! If I had to guess I'd say her art is a combination of traditional and digital. I say that because I haven't seen any original art for sale, only prints.
