draw with me ~ a slow art process with ink & watercolor, by evydraws on YouTube. 28 min 1 s.
- Video length
- 28 min 1 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Tape your watercolor paper to a board or table so it stays flat while you work. Cold press paper handles ink and wet washes well.
Sketch the scene lightly in pencil. Keep the lines loose and faint so they disappear under the ink and paint.
Check your ink is waterproof before you start. Test a line on scrap paper, let it dry, then brush water over it to see if it bleeds.
Ink over the pencil lines with your pen or dip pen. Vary line weight and add texture on trees and foliage with small marks.
Let the ink dry fully before painting. Wet ink will smudge and lift once the brush touches it.
Mix your pigments on the palette. Start with light washes and build darker tones in layers rather than one heavy coat.
Paint the washes over the ink, working from light areas to dark. Keep a clean water pot for lifting and blending.
Use a larger brush for broad background washes and sky. Small brushes are better for detail and edges.
Tips and common mistakes
Test every new ink for waterproofing before using it on a finished drawing.
Let each watercolor layer dry before adding the next so colors stay clean.
Keep pencil lines light, since dark graphite can show through thin washes.
Work in a well ventilated space and keep ink away from your mouth and eyes.
Questions
Do I need waterproof ink for ink and wash?
Yes. Standard ink will bleed and smudge when watercolor goes over it. Test your ink on scrap paper first.
What paper works best for ink and watercolor?
Cold press watercolor paper is a good choice. It holds up to wet washes and gives the ink a slight texture.
Can I paint first and ink after?
You can, but inking first is easier to control. If you paint first, wait until the paper is completely dry before adding ink.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
