Creating watercolor paintings from inside your car is possible and can even be fun. Think of it as your art studio on wheels. Anything you can see from the car is fair game as a subject to paint. You'll know when a scene is perfect. Organize your materials and begin. Any discomfort soon disappears as you become engrossed in your work. Have fun and start collecting scenes you've painted in your sketchbook.
Steps
-
Find a scene that appeals to you.
-
Remove paints, a water brush, a pencil and Sharpie marker from a mini backpack you've filled with art supplies.Advertisement
-
Use a waterbrush. This eliminates the need for a cup of water that might easily spill inside the car.
-
Put a wad of tissues nearby in the door. Use them for drips and to clean your waterbrush by pressing to send water through it onto the tissue.
-
Open your sketchbook and do a sketch of the scene.
-
Wet each pad of color in your watercolor set.
-
Start painting wherever you wish.
-
Cover large expanses such as the building by painting a strip of color near the top. Immediately paint stripes of plain water below and watch how the water pulls the color down. This is one of the fun parts of doing watercolor, seeing how the water helps move the color around.
-
Dab runs and wipe away mistakes away with a tissue.
-
Paint the sky. Use one shade of blue first, skipping to allow some white paper to show. While it is wet add some strokes of a second shade of blue. This gives a realistic looking sky.
-
Paint the building.
-
Do the lettering on the store's front. Use a fine line Sharpie or another indelible black marker. Paint directly over the lettering and it won't smear if an indelible marker is used.
-
Paint the car. Pick a color that contrasts with the building so it will stand out.
-
Continue painting until all the portions of the scene are colored.
-
Finish your painting by sketching over parts of it with the fine line Sharpie.
-
Allow the artwork to dry. Turn to the next page and do another scene.
-
Almost anything you see out the car's window can become a fun sketch and watercolor.
-
Notice how the more you sketch and paint the more possibilities appear, almost magically.
-
Work regularly from your car and your sketchbook will fill quickly. Keep going and you will discover a new hobby or pastime. Have fun and be proud of your work.Advertisement
Community Q&A
Search
-
QuestionWhat can I use instead of watercolor?Ginny K.Community AnswerTry colored pencils or washable colored markers. Watercolor pencils are fun in that they will allow you to turn areas into a wash by wetting with a water brush as you work or when the piece is finished. Read labels and avoid any permanent materials, since splashes or spills cannot easily be removed.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- Use your phone to take a picture of the scene you painted to keep as a reference. This is especially important if you don't have time to finish your work in one session and wish to finish it at home.Thanks
- Art materials that work well from inside the car are varied and readily available. Visit the Arts and Crafts department at a discount dollar store to start your collection. Order sets with many color choices like the one used here (Koi travel set) online from art supply stores such as Michaels or Hobby Lobby. Keep supplies together in a small backpack from Five Below.Thanks
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
- A sketchbook
- Ordinary pencil with an eraser
- A brush that also holds water
- A set of watercolors
- Backpack or bag to hold your materials
About this article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 8,777 times.
Advertisement
97%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
