I’ve painted part of a rusted metal staircase that I found really interesting for this watercolor tutorial – it’s called Life Can Be a Struggle.

Rusty things are beautiful, but they also convey some melancholy. They are references to an earlier age, full of life and hopefully joyful moments, but today they seem sad. Still, one can see the beauty in them, if they are depicted in such a way that makes them stand out. This is a matter of composing and choosing the right contrasts and value relations.

ステップ1
I start with a warm color underpainting, usually yellows and light reds. This unifies the watercolor and gives a warm effect even in cooler and darker areas. In this case, the dominant color in my underpainting was ニューガンボージ.

Then I start to establish the local colors step by step. I work in many layers, so I am really patient and do not push to the final colors and values very fast.
Some indication of texture is already there.

ステップ2
I carefully paint around the areas that are reserved for the metal highlights. Gradually I build up a background of darker values, using several blues, 月光 and certainly インペリアルパープル, which definitely lightens dark areas and gives life to them.

ステップ3
I give more depth to the overall structure by gradually painting darker shapes. Also I start to work on the metallic parts of the staircase, using バーントシェンナ そして キナクリドンゴールド, either wet in wet or dry-brushed.

ステップ4
Painting in several areas one by one, moving around in the watercolor, I introduce more Sleeping Beauty Turquoise. I continue to build up the darks, which brings more light to the prominent metallic parts. I also work further on defining the texture of the wood. The use of 月光, シャドウバイオレット そして インペリアルパープル make the lighter areas glow in the sunlight.

ステップ5
I add even more texture and keep going darker. I stop frequently to evaluate each area. I paint patiently in many layers, not pushing things as I try to bring interest to the metal highlights. This is the target, everything has to work in that direction – more texture on the metal. I also add layers to the wall at the back.

ステップ6
I finish the painting with just a little more texture and I tone down the background a bit more, so that the eye is drawn to the highlights.

I emphasize texture in my work. I want to be able to create the various effects of time on the metal, the wood and the wall. A good variety of transparent vs. opaque colors, granulation qualities and certainly lightfastness are very important to me. When I discovered DANIEL SMITH Watercolors, I knew I had everything I needed. A great range of colors that are consistent, tube after tube.”

Here’s the full list of colors I used in the painting:

ニューガンボージ
キナクリドンゴールド
ローシェンナ
バーントシェンナ
ピエモンタイト純正
本物のヘマタイト
インペリアルパープル
月光
シャドウバイオレット
マヤンダークブルー
セルリアンブルー
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
ルナブラック