Depicting Bricks in Ink

Today I was asked, by one of my students, how I incorporate line work (ink) into my paintings that have brick in them.  

"When you do brick outlines in permanent marker do you do rows or start in a corner and fan outward? I think I want to attempt that on this picture."  Then she included her painting, along with one of mine that she wanted to emulate the look and feel of.

Her painting, along with her reference photo.

My painting that shows the bricks she'd like to emulate.

So, here's the input I gave her...I'm hoping it helps others of you as well.

1) First of all, be aware of how large to make your bricks. They will not necessarily be the size I used. Depends mostly on how close the building is. 

2) I do draw my brick rows in pencil lightly first to get the angles of the lines as they either move away from me or not (perspective).

3) then, again in pencil, I start to draw in some of the bricks nearest my main focal area (not on the outside edges of the building). Maybe around a door or a window.

4) I either then finish by using pencil or, if I feel confident enough, I jump in with ink. (I use a variety of inking options, but on this one, I used a Sharpie Ultrafinepoint marker.  Since this painting was done en plein air, it was easier to travel with.)

5) For interest, some lines are fatter than others and I never use a ruler in order to keep it fresher.

6) I don't always use ink in my paintings.  But I still try to give the bricks some individual character so that it doesn't look mechanical. Here's an example.

No ink used in this painting.

Please feel free to leave your own watercolors with brick work in the comments section.  We can all learn from each other.

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Are you afraid of bricks?

There's still time to learn to paint bricks, stone and perspective because my 2-day workshop will take place this weekend in Columbia, SC.

Here's the reference photo we're using.  I'll teach you how I tackle each step of the way, up to the finish line.  I don't want you to paint like me...I just want to help you be a better YOU!

Reference photo for our 2-day workshop on bricks, stone and perspective.

Details for the workshop(sponsored by the Trenholm Artists Guild) are HERE.  Sign up today to join me this weekend in Columbia, SC.  We have a couple of spots still open.

 www.helenKbeacham.com

Come paint with me! 

In 2015, we're going to Venice, Niagara Falls, and so on!!!  
Find details HERE

Class on "Tippettes" to start!

In April 2013, I posted one "tippette" per day (a snippet of a tip) and so many of you reached out to say how much they helped you.  (I'm so glad!)

Starting Jan 7, I'll teach a Wednesday class (5:45pm-7:45pm) for 6 weeks and we'll cover at least 6 of the tippettes.  I'll demonstrate, and you'll grid off a section of paper to practice what I show you.  By the end of the 6 week session, you'll have a real good grasp of how to tackle these subjects in your paintings.

Examples of some subjects we'll cover:
- bricks and stones
- cast shadows
- glass
- fabric
- realism to abstract (almost)
- sunlight through objects

Location:  St. Padre Pio Church, 102 Trolley Road, Summerville, SC  29483 (just south of Stallsville Loop)

Hours:  5:45pm-7:45pm

Skill Level:  Intermediate to Advanced (if you've taken a beginner's class from me, or if you've been painting for a while, you'll benefit from these classes).

Fee:  $120 for all 6 classes.  Single classes are $50 each.
(Note:  Although I usually try to accommodate you, there can be no make-up class if you need to miss one or more of these.)  Class will fill on a first come, first served basis.  Your payment is required in order to hold your spot.

Supply List:  Furnished upon request or at signup.  Anything you already have is probably going to be just fine.

Contact Info:   To sign up, call me at (843) 871-5637 or email me at helenKbeacham@gmail.com (be sure to insert the K into the middle of the email address or it won't come to me).

I look forward to painting with you!  p.s.  I know that those of you that live out-of-town can't attend.  If you'd like me to teach in YOUR town, reach out to me and we'll make it happen!

www.helenKbeacham.com

Come paint with me! 

In 2015, we're going to Venice, Niagara Falls, Montreal and so on!!!  
Find details HERE.

SEE MY LATEST POST HERE.   

Tippette #1 - Bricks & Stones

Tippette = Snippet of a Tip (in watercolor).

Today we begin our journey together.  I promise to post one absolutely free tippette every day, during the month of April.  These will not be discussed in detail, but maybe it'll cause you to think about your art in a new way.  Depending on your own skill level, these will mean more to some of you than to others.  I ask you to stick with me on this journey, and let's see where it leads us.  I look forward to your comments or questions, and I promise to reply to each one.  (Hint:  to figure out where to comment, simply go to the bottom of my daily post and click on the blue words that say "0 comments", or "1 comment" and a box will open up for you to type into.)  Here we go.

Today's topic is bricks and stones.  

The roughness of today's subject usually compels me to use a rough paper (I love Arches 300# but there are many good brands out there).  

I always lightly sketch my bricks and/or stones and I remember to leave room in between them to represent the mortar.  I then paint over the whole wall with a light wash of color (even painting THROUGH the bricks or stones themselves).  Then I add my brick or rock color, sometimes using dry brush, and sometimes wet into wet (e.g. maybe burnt sienna first, then I drop in a touch of green or blue or whatever's desired for the final effect).  Although I don't WANT to paint each brick separately, I make sure each has a unique personality...no cookie-cutter bricks.  After all the brick area is done, I examine the painting to see whether it now needs a unifying wash over parts of the wall (for a cast shadow, for instance...BTW, cast shadows are tomorrow's tippette).  A shadow is then added UNDER the bricks that need it.

Close up detail of "Charleston Alley Gate" by Helen K. Beacham

Detail of "Corner Garden" by Helen K. Beacham

On this one below, I added darker color to the mortar area.  Keep in mind, some mortar is darker than others.  Observe what's in front of you.

Detail of "Simply Rome" by Helen K. Beacham

I hope you found this first tippette enlightening and maybe even exciting!  I think we're off to a great start, but as I mentioned above, I'm anxious for your comments and/or follow up questions!  Happy painting!

Come paint Montreal, Maine, Charleston, and Magnolia Plantation with me in 2014!  In May 2015, we go back to Venice!!!  Find details HERE.

www.helenKbeacham.com

READ MY LATEST POST HERE