"Faces of Music #3 - Day One"

I want to talk to you before we get in too deep with this next painting about your preparation of your drawing and the watercolor paper that you start with. I draw all of my pieces on a separate sheet of paper and then transfer to my chosen watercolor paper. I do this for the fact that where there is drawing there is inevitably erasing, which changes the texture of the paper and makes visible variations in the final washes and color transfer. My choice of papers is just a cheap vellum that I buy in a tablet and tear a sheet at a time out to work with. The next thing I want to address is the poundage of paper that you use. I paint on Arches 550lb. paper, very rough texture and very stiff. There are many choices that you may use from smooth texture to rough, lightweight to heavyweight. I prefer the heavyweight because I work very fast, laying down many wet washes and the paper doesn't have to be re-stretched because of warping that comes from these washes. The rough texture can also be used to dry-brush across for a very different look. All of these boil down to your personal choices and what you are comfortable with. Spend a day in the art store browsing the options, take some home and test them out, make your choices and let's paint. I have transferred my drawing to my paper and done my colorblocking that I always do. We will lay down our first washes tomorrow and get started. Enjoy!