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.

Step 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 New Gamboge.

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.

Step 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, Moonglow and certainly Imperial Purple, which definitely lightens dark areas and gives life to them.

Step 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 Burnt Sienna and Quinacridone Gold, either wet in wet or dry-brushed.

Step 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 Moonglow, Shadow Violet and Imperial Purple make the lighter areas glow in the sunlight.

Step 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.

Step 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:

New Gamboge
Quinacridone Gold
Raw Sienna
Burnt Sienna
Piemontite Genuine
Hematite Genuine
Imperial Purple
Moonglow
Shadow Violet
Mayan Dark Blue
Cerulean Blue
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
Lunar Black