Uploaded October 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
This week, I'm sharing a full tutorial in which I'm taking you through my 3-phase process for line and wash art.
I start by explaining how I create my preliminary pencil sketches, providing my best tips on recreating shapes and proportions when using reference photos.
Then I share my favorite pen and ink techniques to define edges, add detail, and add shadow to dark areas, as well as how to develop great line weight variation for best results.
Finally, I share how I bring in bright watercolor washes to bring the piece to life, making sure to develop a range of both hue and value for depth/dimension. 👩🎨
With this project, we get to practice both our drawing and our painting, which is always a great thing to do.
I hope you find it helpful and, if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the Comments below. 💙
► Find my courses on Gumroad here:
erikalancasterartist.gumroad.com
► Recommended Resources
Pen + Ink Still Life Drawing Tutorial (Graphite Sketch to Pen and Ink Techniques) *4 Quadrant Method is used in this drawing tutorial youtu.be/LYdH1exqFqA
5 Best Mixed-Media Art Tips + Personal Sketchbook Practice youtu.be/xS-ndsydWRo
Line + Wash Flowers Pt.1 Circle, Trumpet + Bowl Shapes youtu.be/fu0ZBXlPoIE
Line + Wash Flowers Pt.2 Bell, Combination + Variation Shapes youtu.be/_Pdj1ER_pP8
Line + Wash Flowers Pt.3 Full Bouquet youtu.be/EN0HkM8GKzE
Pen + Wash Expressive Color Scheme Exercises youtu.be/M-DelRdKXX8
► Supplies used in video:
-Strathmore 9x12” Tracing Paper amzn.to/3xM51pm
-Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper 140 lb 100% Cotton amzn.to/3Ys82WY
-UniPin Fineliner (0.5) amzn.to/3BR1doY
-Princeton Neptune Mop (6) shrsl.com/4ofcm
-Royal & Langnickel Zen Round (14) shrsl.com/4ig1y
-Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Round (4) shrsl.com/4ig1s
-Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Round (0) shrsl.com/4pvfy
-Princeton Aqua Elite Round (3) shrsl.com/4pkci
-Van Gogh Watercolor Tubes shrsl.com/4ofcn
*Colors: Perm. Lemon Yellow, Indian Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Perm. Red Light, Madder Lake Deep, Olive Green, Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber
-Faber-Castell 9000 Series Graphite Pencils (HB) amzn.to/3y9q9Xm
-1” Artist Tape amzn.to/3VWTTjJ
-Outus Graphite Erasers amzn.to/3MKgCth
-Mr. Pen Kneaded Eraser amzn.to/4cWkcfP
► Find a list of my favorite art supplies here:
erikalancaster.com/favorite_art_supplies.html
► Join my Patreon community for exclusive real-time sketching and watercolor tutorials, individualized feedback from me on your work, classes on Art Fundamentals, live art practice and chat every month, and more: patreon.com/erika_lancaster_artist
► Access my full art courses over on Skillshare and get 1 *FREE* month to enjoy all sorts of amazing creative classes
skillshare.com/en/r/user/erika_lancaster_artist?gr_tch_ref=on&gr_trp=on
► Become an art email insider to receive special messages from me and resources to help you improve your sketching and watercolor skills:
https://lancaster-e85-gmail-com.ck.page/d32ef80353
► Visit the Artist Merch Studio Shop for great gifts for artists and gear to help you stay inspired:
etsy.com/shop/artistmerchstudio
► Gear + Art Business Tools:
-Canon T6 EOS Rebel DSLR Camera
amzn.to/2Xt69HY
-Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket (Black) amzn.to/2l7HJ8j
-Yeti Microphone amzn.to/3PtzE9G
-LED Lights for Video Filming amzn.to/45JPfrd
-MacBook Pro 16 inch amzn.to/3sFavQe
*Disclaimer: This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also a participant of Share-a-Sale, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for content creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
#lineandwashwatercolortutorialforbeginners #penandwatercolorpainting
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Phase 1 (Preliminary Pencil Sketch)
07:40 Phase 2 (Pen and Ink Drawing)
14:18 Phase 3 (Watercolor Washes)
This week, I'm sharing a full tutorial in which I'm taking you through my 3-phase process for line and wash art.
I start by explaining how I create my preliminary pencil sketches, providing my best tips on recreating shapes and proportions when using reference photos.
Then I share my favorite pen and ink techniques to define edges, add detail, and add shadow to dark areas, as well as how to develop great line weight variation for best results.
Finally, I share how I bring in bright watercolor washes to bring the piece to life, making sure to develop a range of both hue and value for depth/dimension. 👩🎨
With this project, we get to practice both our drawing and our painting, which is always a great thing to do.
I hope you find it helpful and, if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the Comments below. 💙
► Find my courses on Gumroad here:
erikalancasterartist.gumroad.com
► Recommended Resources
Pen + Ink Still Life Drawing Tutorial (Graphite Sketch to Pen and Ink Techniques) *4 Quadrant Method is used in this drawing tutorial youtu.be/LYdH1exqFqA
5 Best Mixed-Media Art Tips + Personal Sketchbook Practice youtu.be/xS-ndsydWRo
Line + Wash Flowers Pt.1 Circle, Trumpet + Bowl Shapes youtu.be/fu0ZBXlPoIE
Line + Wash Flowers Pt.2 Bell, Combination + Variation Shapes youtu.be/_Pdj1ER_pP8
Line + Wash Flowers Pt.3 Full Bouquet youtu.be/EN0HkM8GKzE
Pen + Wash Expressive Color Scheme Exercises youtu.be/M-DelRdKXX8
► Supplies used in video:
-Strathmore 9x12” Tracing Paper amzn.to/3xM51pm
-Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper 140 lb 100% Cotton amzn.to/3Ys82WY
-UniPin Fineliner (0.5) amzn.to/3BR1doY
-Princeton Neptune Mop (6) shrsl.com/4ofcm
-Royal & Langnickel Zen Round (14) shrsl.com/4ig1y
-Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Round (4) shrsl.com/4ig1s
-Winsor & Newton Cotman 111 Round (0) shrsl.com/4pvfy
-Princeton Aqua Elite Round (3) shrsl.com/4pkci
-Van Gogh Watercolor Tubes shrsl.com/4ofcn
*Colors: Perm. Lemon Yellow, Indian Yellow, Yellow Ochre, Perm. Red Light, Madder Lake Deep, Olive Green, Prussian Blue, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber
-Faber-Castell 9000 Series Graphite Pencils (HB) amzn.to/3y9q9Xm
-1” Artist Tape amzn.to/3VWTTjJ
-Outus Graphite Erasers amzn.to/3MKgCth
-Mr. Pen Kneaded Eraser amzn.to/4cWkcfP
► Find a list of my favorite art supplies here:
erikalancaster.com/favorite_art_supplies.html
► Join my Patreon community for exclusive real-time sketching and watercolor tutorials, individualized feedback from me on your work, classes on Art Fundamentals, live art practice and chat every month, and more: patreon.com/erika_lancaster_artist
► Access my full art courses over on Skillshare and get 1 *FREE* month to enjoy all sorts of amazing creative classes
skillshare.com/en/r/user/erika_lancaster_artist?gr_tch_ref=on&gr_trp=on
► Become an art email insider to receive special messages from me and resources to help you improve your sketching and watercolor skills:
https://lancaster-e85-gmail-com.ck.page/d32ef80353
► Visit the Artist Merch Studio Shop for great gifts for artists and gear to help you stay inspired:
etsy.com/shop/artistmerchstudio
► Gear + Art Business Tools:
-Canon T6 EOS Rebel DSLR Camera
amzn.to/2Xt69HY
-Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket (Black) amzn.to/2l7HJ8j
-Yeti Microphone amzn.to/3PtzE9G
-LED Lights for Video Filming amzn.to/45JPfrd
-MacBook Pro 16 inch amzn.to/3sFavQe
*Disclaimer: This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also a participant of Share-a-Sale, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for content creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
#lineandwashwatercolortutorialforbeginners #penandwatercolorpainting
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Phase 1 (Preliminary Pencil Sketch)
07:40 Phase 2 (Pen and Ink Drawing)
14:18 Phase 3 (Watercolor Washes)
