A Brush with Fantasy by Sixth&Spring Books

• WATERCOLOR

Journey to Enchanted Realms!

Fairies, mermaids, imaginary creatures, and their worlds have captured the imaginations of artists across time. Barbara Lanza teaches how to bring these elegant subjects to life with twentyeight watercolor demonstrations, along with information on materials, tips, and techniques. • Create romantic looks with fantastic faces and hairstyles • Learn to draw fairy bodies to depict different ages • Design fun fairy attire, wings, and surroundings inspired by nature • Draw a flower fairy, a snow fairy, fairy families, and a fairy house

Marvelous mermaids!

• Design flowing hairstyles accessorized with lovely ornaments from the sea • Dream up beautiful tails and fins to reflect your mermaids’ personalities • Learn to paint graceful bodies in motion for different ages • Depict playful seascapes featuring a variety of underwater details

Charming creatures!

• Meet a magical owl, spirited unicorn, cute bunnies, and a baby dragon • Frolic with spectacular seahorses and winged dragons • Encounter a darling kitty, a peacock dragon, and a friendly polar bear • Draw creatures interacting with mermaids and fairy friends

A Brush with Fantasy HOW TO PAINT FAIRIES, MERMAIDS AND MAGICAL CREATURES with WATERCOLOR

BARBARA LANZA

HOW TO PAINT FAIRIES, MERMAIDS AND MAGICAL CREATURES with WATERCOLOR

Fabulous fairies!

A Brush with Fantasy

ART TECHNIQUES

LANZA

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Get Creative 6

$22.99 US • $29.99 CAN ISBN 978-1-68462-049-4

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A Brush with Fantasy HOW TO PAINT FAIRIES, MERMAIDS AND MAGICAL CREATURES with WATERCOLOR

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A Brush with Fantasy HOW TO PAINT FAIRIES, MERMAIDS AND MAGICAL CREATURES with WATERCOLOR

BARBARA LANZA

Get Creative 6

New York

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Get Creative 6 An imprint of Mixed Media Resources 19 West 21st Street Suite 601 New York, NY 10010 sixthandspringbooks.com Editor PAMELA WISSMAN Art Director IRENE LEDWITH Designer JENNIFER MARKSON Chief Executive Officer CAROLINE KILMER President ART JOINNIDES Chairman JAY STEIN Copyright © 2022 by Barbara Lanza All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage-and-retrieval systems— without written permission of the publisher. The designs in this book are intended for the personal, noncommercial use of the retail purchaser and are under federal copyright laws; they are not to be reproduced in any form for commercial use. Permission is granted to photocopy content for the personal use of the retail purchaser, who is also welcome to sell products made from the skills and tips from this book. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request. 978-1-68462-049-4 Manufactured in China 1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2 First Edition

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Contents

Introduction.. .................................. 8 Materials.................................................. 10 Tips and Techniques. . ................................. 1 1

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 3

Fairy Bodies.............................................. 18 Fairy Attire................................................ 20 Fairy Wings. . ............................................. 21 Leaves.. .................................................... 23 Iris Fairy.................................................... 26 Snowdrop Fairy. . ....................................... 32 Fairy Mother and Baby.. ............................. 36 Mother and Child Fairies............................ 42 Forest Details for Fairy Homes.....................48 Fairy House.. ............................................. 49

Snowy Owl...............................................84 Seahorses.. ...............................................90 Darling Kitty. . ............................................94 Playful Unicorn. . .......................................100 Dreaming Fairy Bunny.. .............................106 Baby Dragon............................................ 112 Peacock Dragon.......................................118 Arctic Friends........................................... 124 Free Spirits............................................... 128 Fairy, Mermaids and Dragon..................... 136

CHAPTER 2

Index.. ..................................................... 142 About the Author..................................... 144

Fairies and Their Realms.........14 Enchanted Creatures and Fairy Heads and Hairstyles..........................16 Their Realms . . ................................ 82

Mermaids and Their Realms. . ................................ 54 Mermaid Heads and Hairstyles. . ................. 56 Mermaid Tails........................................... 58 Mermaid Bodies........................................60 Under-the-Sea Details................................ 62 Fantasy Starfish......................................... 63 Mermaid Dream. . ......................................64 Mermaid Splash........................................68 Bubble Mermaid....................................... 72 Mermaid Mother and Children. . .................. 78

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Introduction Does your mind wander when you look into a tangled woodland or up at the clouds? Do the shapes and colors you see transform into enchanted creatures in beautiful settings? Perhaps you wish to release these creatures from your imagination by painting beautiful scenes onto paper. If so, you may have wondered how to begin. This book offers a path to your goal using watercolor, a medium that embraces the unexpected, lending itself to the ethereal nature of fairies, mermaids, and enchanted creatures. Beginning with a discussion of materials and basic techniques will prepare you to trace the subject of a demonstration exactly as is or to improvise. Following the steps for best results in watercolor will launch you to painting images that are uniquely yours. Many artists fear a blank sheet of paper, but if you don’t face this fear when beginning something new, you’re playing it too safe! If you don’t get the results you hope for, begin again. That’s how to advance and hone your skills. I love this quote from Edgar Degas: “I must make myself fully aware that I know nothing. It is the only way to get ahead.” And from Vincent van Gogh: “It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” Embrace the learning process! I trust you’ll love it as much as I do.

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Chapter 1

Fairies and Their Realms

ow to draw and paint fairies has as many approaches as artists who focus on them, with many effects that can be achieved using various media, ranging from delicate line drawings to saturated color and everything inbetween. We may love them all, but some approaches appeal to us more than others. Watercolor is the medium I prefer, and it comes most naturally to me. But I can’t predict how everything I paint will turn out, and I try not to let that uncertainty keep me from forging ahead. I wonder if that’s your experience, too. Here, I’ve created projects to engage your sentiments and interest in painting them. You’ll see what some fairies look like, where they live, and what you may find them doing morning, noon, and night. Fairies have no boundaries of any kind, so if you don’t see the type of fairy who suits your mood in the following scenes, enjoy creating your own fairy that does. Get into boundless fairy mode!

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FAIRY HEADS AND HAIRSTYLES

Drawing and painting fairy hairstyles offers a chance to give them a creative look. Whether your fairy is dressed for playful everyday activities or a formal occasion, consider the ideal style for her outfit and surroundings. Truly, there are no limits to fantastic designs when it comes to hair.

Just for fun, these fairies might switch the styles they’re wearing because straight, wavy, and curly hair looks good beaded, entwined with vines, or adorned with flowers, twigs, and leaves.

A playful hat for a child fairy can also add a whimsical touch to your fairy art.

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2. Paint the Background

3. Paint the Inner Petal Contours

In one well of your palette, dilute Hooker’s Green. In another, dilute Ultramarine Light. Use a ½” flat brush for wide areas and a #2 round for the outside edges. Begin laying in a light wash of Ultramarine Light to the upper background and Hooker’s Green to the bottom third. When the shine of the wash is gone, using a #5 round, apply swooshes of Cobalt Blue to areas at the top and more concentrated Ultramarine Light to areas at the bottom. Tilt the painting down slightly to help the colors blend. Let dry thoroughly.

Avoiding the tops of the upright center petals that catch the light coming from the upper left, use a #2 round to apply a thin wash of Permanent Yellow Light to them. When the shine is gone, use a #1 round to add Yellow Ochre to the inner folds of the petals and to the space behind the petal on the left.

4. Define Upper Petal Shapes With a #2 round, add a thin wash of Violet to the prominent upright petals where their shadows curve away from the light. When the shine is gone, apply Ultramarine Light to these areas and other petal folds. Add a bit of Rose Madder to the inner petal fold at right.

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5. Add Warm Shading to the Petals

6. Paint the Skin and Iris Beard Colors

With a #2 round, add a thin glaze of Ultramarine Light to the inner shadows of the petals. When the shine is gone, add a wash of Violet to the inner folds of the lowest petal shown with shading here. Add Rose Madder to the deep fold of the center upright petal. Using a #1 round, add a mixture of Ultramarine Light and Rose Madder to the areas of the fairy’s skin where it turns from the light.

Mix very small amounts of Burnt Sienna and Vermillion. Using a #1 round, apply it to the skin. Apply Burnt Sienna to the entire beard of the iris. When the shine is gone, add Van Dyke Brown to the shadow area farthest from the light.

SHAPES AND COLORS WORK TOGETHER Notice how the shapes of the gown work with the shapes of the iris. Also notice how the yellow and rose colors of the gown and petal contrast with each other nicely to define them as separate forms.

7. Add Color to the Folds of the Gown Using a #2 round, add Permanent Yellow Light to the folds of the gown that turn from the light. When the shine is gone, add Yellow Ochre to the shadow areas of the folds that are farthest from the light. 28

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9. Add Shading and Details Apply a mixture of Burnt Sienna, Van Dyke Brown, and Sap Green to skin shadows with a #1 round. Apply Permanent Yellow Deep to the shadows of the baby’s outfit. Apply a medium tint of Permanent Yellow Deep to the outer part of the lighter wing and Yellow Orange to its teardrop shapes. Apply a light tint of Permanent Yellow Light to the center of the middle flower in the mother’s hair. Add Cerulean Blue to the outer part of the left wing and Violet to its teardrop shapes. With Raw Sienna and a #1 round, deepen the edges and shadows of the mother fairy’s gown. Apply a medium tint of Permanent Rose to the lips of both mother and baby.

10. Paint the Third Fairy and Finishing Details Using a light tint of Permanent Rose loaded to a #1 round, paint the gown of the third fairy. When dry, apply a light tint of Viridian to her wings. Apply a mixture of Raw Sienna and Van Dyke Brown to her hair. Apply a mixture of Burnt Sienna and Van Dyke Brown to the areas of her skin that turn from the light. Using a dark tint of Van Dyke Brown and Ivory Black loaded to a #00 round, paint the curls of both the mother and baby fairies. Apply a medium tint of Winsor Green to the bottom layer of the mother fairy’s gown in the areas that turn from the light. Using a medium-dark tint of Van Dyke Brown loaded to a #2 round, outline the mother fairy’s wings. Apply Yellow Orange to the centers of the flowers in the mother’s hair, then finish them with shades of Raw Sienna at left and Cerulean Blue in the center and right. Outline the background fairy’s wings with a medium Indigo tint. Apply Permanent Rose to her gown where it turns from the light, as well as to her cheeks and the markings on her wings. Finish shading her hair with deeper shades of Raw Sienna and Van Dyke Brown. 40

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Mother and Child Fairies A mother fairy cradles her little one as they snooze among the flowers. BRUSHES 1 ½” flat #2 round #1 round #00 round #000 round

WATERCOLORS Vermillion Rose Madder Burnt Sienna Raw Sienna Peacock Blue Cerulean Blue Permanent Yellow Deep Van Dyke Brown Violet Ultramarine Blue Opera Ultramarine Deep Chromium Oxide Green Hooker’s Green Viridian Lemon Yellow Indigo Ivory Black Yellow Ochre Red Brown Permanent Rose

1. Start with the Drawing Lightly draw the mother and child fairies directly onto watercolor paper, or if you’ve done your drawing on another piece of paper first, you can transfer it using tracing paper and graphite (as discussed on page 11). You can use an old inkless ballpoint pen for transferring. 42

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2. Apply an Overall Wash, Then Add Skin Tone

3. Begin the Cheeks, Hair, and Dresses

Use a 1 ½” flat brush loaded with a thin wash of Vermillion and Rose Madder to cover the entire drawing. Apply a thin wash of Vermillion and Burnt Sienna to the skin and flower centers with a #2 round brush.

Apply a medium Vermillion tone to their cheeks with a #1 round. Apply a thin wash of Raw Sienna to the child’s hair with a #2 round. Let dry. Apply a thin wash of Raw Sienna and Burnt Sienna to the mother’s hair. Apply a thin wash of Peacock Blue to the child’s dress. When dry, apply a wash of Cerulean Blue to the mother’s dress.

4. Paint the Wings and Hair Using a #2 round, beginning at the base of the wings at the shoulder blades, apply a thin wash of Raw Sienna. While wet, apply Burnt Sienna, bringing it down to bottom of the wings. When dry, use a #2 round to apply a thin wash of Permanent Yellow Deep, adding Raw Sienna to the bottom. With a #2 round, apply a thin wash of Van Dyke Brown to the mother’s wing at left in the background. Begin adding shading to the mother’s hair in the areas that turn from the light using a #1 round loaded with a medium wash of Raw Sienna. For the child’s hair, using a mixture of Permanent Yellow Deep and Raw Sienna loaded to a #1 round, paint the areas of the hair that turn from the light. Carefully strengthen contours with 0.3 mm graphite using a mechanical pencil. 43

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FOREST DETAILS FOR FAIRY HOMES

When wondering how to depict a fairy home, you can find many online examples of forest scenes turned into fairy homes. While the internet is great for exploration, finding your own scene will make yours unlike any others. Take a camera or sketchbook to a wooded area. There you’ll find unique configurations of plants, rocks, and trees that could offer fairies places in which to play, rest, or cultivate. Your imagination will do the rest.

Is it a Fairy Home? Have a look at these examples that could easily become fairy homes with the addition of curtains, lanterns, doors, and stepping-stones.

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6. Add Contrast and Final Details Apply a medium-light Payne’s Grey tint to the background with a #5 round, and a #2 round for smaller spaces. Add a darker tint to the lowest areas. Let dry. Paint the balloon flower veins at left with a #00 round. Use a medium Opera tint and a #2 round for the flower cluster at left. Apply a Raw Sienna and Van Dyke Brown mix to the right sides of the house vines and Burnt Sienna to the left sides. Let dry. Apply a Viridian and Indigo mix to foliage behind the flowers at bottom right. Add Permanent Yellow to the flower centers at upper left and Raw Sienna to the edges. With a medium-dark Viridian and Indigo tint loaded to a #1 round, paint all the remaining leaf contours. Add a mix of Vermillion and Ivory Black to flower centers at bottom right.

Using a #2 round, apply a medium tint of Permanent Rose to the flower contours at bottom left, blending outwards with clear water. When the shine’s gone, add a darker tint of Permanent Rose to their centers. When dry, fill some of the spaces behind the flowers with Violet and others with a mixture of Viridian and Indigo. Apply a Raw Sienna and Van Dyke Brown mix to the stone bench with a #1 round. When the shine is gone, add shading with a mix of Violet and Van Dyke Brown. Let dry. Use a dark tint of those colors to paint fine lines on the bench. Using a #2 round, apply a medium-dark tint of Red Brown to the tops of the steps. When the shine is gone, apply Indigo to the areas turned from the light. 53

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Chapter 2

Mermaids and Their Realms

s goddesses of the sea, mermaids inspire us to live fully and joyfully. They seem unencumbered by gravity as they dive deep, then rise to the crests of waves. Carefree and creative, they adorn themselves with pearls, shells, and jewels discovered in long-lost treasure chests from the ocean floor. Their powerful bodies glide alongside their playful dolphin friends, and their lovely voices call to us. This chapter is a guide to a world populated with colorful coral and sea creatures, complete with a mermaid bursting up from the ocean, another floating with bubbles, one who is lying down to sleep, and more!

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MERMAID HEADS AND HAIRSTYLES

Whether swimming underwater or sitting on a sunny rock, mermaids’ hair usually appears to be in perpetual motion. The way hair moves in water or by the wind may inspire various hairstyles using seashells, pearls, and seagrasses as lovely adornments.

Here are various mermaids who have chosen looks that suit their features and tastes. Of course, tastes may change daily, so have fun dreaming of how your next mermaid will look.

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7. Define Details Apply a light tint of Van Dyke Brown and Raw Sienna to the mermaid’s hair using a #1 round. Paint her tail with Permanent Yellow Light. When the shine’s gone, apply a medium Yellow Orange tint to the side of her tail as it turns from the light, as well as the contours of the end of her tail that turn from the light. Use a darker tint of Burnt Sienna and Vermillion to outline the mermaid’s body, and Van Dyke Brown to paint facial features. Apply Permanent Rose to her lips using a #00 round. Using Van Dyke Brown loaded to a #1 round, paint the areas of the hair that turn from the light.

To the left and bottom foreground coral, apply a medium tint of Van Dyke Brown. When the shine is gone, apply a mixture of Ultramarine Blue and Violet to the areas farthest from the light. Apply Cadmium Red Deep to some corals, Burnt Sienna and Violet to others. Apply Indigo to the areas behind the corals. Apply Peacock Blue to the contours of the seaweed that curve over the mermaid. Paint the bubbles above the mermaid with opaque White gouache. When dry, apply Permanent Rose and Violet arcs within the bubbles. After they dry, apply white highlights. 67

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2. Paint the Background Beginning at the top of the picture, apply a light Turquoise background tint using a #5 round. Apply Viridian in areas so the background is not flat but dimensional. Apply a dark tint of Peacock Blue as you approach the bottom. Let dry.

3. Paint the Large Bubble Draw highlights on the large bubble with a pencil. Have ready medium tints of Violet, Peacock Blue, Permanent Rose, Permanent Yellow Light, and Yellow Orange. Wet the entire bubble except for highlights. On the right side of the long highlight, apply a medium Violet tint, blending it with water towards, but not touching, the outer rim of the bubble. Apply Peacock Blue to the area at left of the long highlight. Blend in Permanent Rose at the bottom. If the bubble dries, apply more water. Add Permanent Yellow Light below and above the round highlight, as well as Yellow Orange below. Let dry.

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8. Define the Large Bubble and Add Details Except for highlights, wet the entire large bubble. Apply darker tints of Violet, Peacock Blue, Permanent Rose, Permanent Yellow Light, and Yellow Orange. Blend colors to the outer bubble edges. When the shine’s gone, apply Vermillion below the round highlight at left. Apply Sap Green along the left edge. Let dry. Wet the bubble at the very bottom edge of the painting. When the shine is gone, apply Permanent Yellow Light to the inside edge. When the shine’s gone, apply Sap Green following the curve of the bubble and Peacock Blue above the round highlight at right. Apply Yellow Orange to the rim on the left. Let dry. Apply Sap Green to the outer edges of the fin and tail with a #00 round. Outline her earrings with Burnt Sienna. Use a bristle brush loaded with water to soften highlights and bubble edges.

9. Finish with Details Apply clear water to the medium-sized bubble in front of the largest one, except for the highlights. When the shine is gone, apply Permanent Yellow to the right side and top, as well as Viridian on the opposite side and each side of the round highlight. Next, apply Peacock Blue closer to the bubble center and Turquoise to the center. Apply a light Violet tint to the inside left rim. Let dry. Using a #00 round, paint a thin arc of Sap Green to indicate the rim of the large bubble showing through. Let dry. Wet the small bubble attached to the medium one. When the shine’s gone, apply Permanent Yellow Light to the right side, adding Vermillion

to the center and Violet to the inside edge where it meets the medium bubble. When dry, apply an arc in Sap Green to indicate the rim of the medium bubble showing through. Apply a medium Violet tint to the angelfish with a #1 round. Let dry. Apply a darker tint to its contours and Ultramarine Blue to shadow areas. When dry, apply a deep tint of Ultramarine Blue for the vertical stripes. Paint the angelfish eye Indigo. Paint small bubbles at the top in greens, turquoise, yellow, and red. Use white gouache to accentuate the highlights on all the bubbles.

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Mermaid Mother and Children A mermaid mom and her children play together under the sea.

BRUSHES #5 round #1 round #00 round #2 round

WATERCOLORS Turquoise Ultramarine Blue Viridian Indigo Hooker’s Green Van Dyke Brown Vermillion Raw Sienna Burnt Sienna Permanent Rose Chromium Oxide Green Yellow Orange Orange Alizarin Crimson Permanent Yellow Light Ivory Black Red Brown

1. Start with Your Drawing Either draw your mermaids directly on your watercolor paper, or transfer your drawing using tracing paper and graphite (see page 11).

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Chapter 3

Enchanted Creatures and Their Realms

ome creatures hold special places in the realm of fantasy, perhaps best exemplified by the unicorn. For centuries, it has been depicted in paintings and tapestries and is likely more popular now than ever. Therefore, this chapter includes instructions for painting one as well as other exotic or ordinary creatures in enchanted settings. For instance, the kitty on page 94 in this chapter represents all cats, so you may choose to make changes to the one depicted so it resembles a cat having special meaning for you. The surroundings and adornment elevate a beloved, plain black cat to the memorable setting it deserves. These demonstrations are opportunities to enter the magical woodland, ocean, and arctic realms of these enchanted creatures one magical step at a time.

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2. Paint the Background

3. Begin Shading

Mix Indigo and Alizarin Crimson. Using a 1” flat wash brush, apply clear water over the entire image. Beginning in the center of the picture with the 1” brush loaded with a very light tint of the mixture, paint in a circular manner outward, gradually applying darker tints as you widen the circle and reach the outer edges of the picture. Let dry.

Using a #2 round loaded with a light tint of Winsor Blue, paint the lightest part of the background. Blend it with clear water into the previous mixture of Indigo and Alizarin Crimson. Let dry. Using a #2 round loaded with a light tint of Ultramarine Blue, paint the parts of the owl that turn from the light. Do the same where branches turn from the light.

VIGNETTE EFFECT Create a vignette effect by beginning at the center with a light tint and painting in a circular manner outward, gradually applying darker tints as you widen the circle to the edges.

4. Shade with Payne’s Grey With a #2 round, apply a medium tint of Payne’s Grey to the back, side, and legs of the owl that turn from the light. 85

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8. Add Volume to Branches Paint the branch shadows with a #2 round loaded with a medium-dark tint of Magenta and Ultramarine Blue. Paint details on the branches to emphasize their roundness with a #1 round. Darken the pattern on the owl’s back and side with a medium-dark Payne’s Grey tint and a #1 round. Apply a light tint of Winsor Blue to areas of the owl’s back, side, and side of the head that turns from the light. Let dry. Carefully erase any remaining pencil lines.

9. Finish with Berries and Eyes With a #000 round and a medium-dark Alizarin Crimson tint, paint the berries beginning at the top, leaving white highlights on each. When the shine’s gone, apply a darker tint to some berries that turn from the light. Let Dry. Using a #000 round loaded with a mixture of Magenta and Ultramarine Blue, paint the berry stems. Using Permanent Yellow Light and a #00 round, paint the irises of the eyes. When the shine’s gone, apply Chromium Oxide Green closest to the pupils. Let dry. Apply Payne’s

Grey to upper parts of the irises. Let dry. Using a #00 round, apply a mixture of Payne’s Grey and Ivory Black to the pupils, leaving a round highlight on the lower right and a curved highlight on upper left of each one. Let dry. Using a dark tint of Payne’s Grey and Ivory Black, paint the rim of the eyes. Use a #000 round loaded with a light tint of Ultramarine Blue and Payne’s Grey to add curved strokes to the feathers around the owl’s eyes, beak, neck, and legs.

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Darling Kitty Cats are fun to paint, and even fairy cats love to find perches in unusual places, such as this flower! BRUSHES #2 round #1 round #00 round #000 round

WATERCOLORS Permanent Yellow Light Yellow Orange Vermillion Winsor Blue Cerulean Blue Alizarin Crimson Opera Magenta Violet Ultramarine Blue Red Brown Payne’s Grey Ivory Black Sap Green Chinese White Raw Sienna

1. Draw the Image Draw the image directly onto your watercolor paper, or trace your drawing onto your paper using tracing paper, graphite, and an inkless ballpoint pen (see page 11).

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2. Paint Background Lights

3. Define the Clouds

Apply a very light tint of Permanent Yellow Light to the cloud edges closest to the cloud opening with a #2 round. When the shine is gone, apply a mixture of Yellow Orange and Vermillion inside the outer edge of the clouds, then Winsor Blue to the areas that turn from the light. Let dry. Using a #2 round, apply a light tint of Cerulean Blue to the opening.

Wet the remaining upper clouds. When the shine’s gone, apply a light tint of Permanent Yellow Light to the edges closest to the light, then add dabs of the mixture of Yellow Orange and Vermillion, creating contours to the clouds, then Winsor Blue to the areas farthest from the light. Re-wet if needed so the colors will blend. Let dry. Working on the right side, paint the background clouds as before, gradually applying a dark Winsor Blue tint to the bottom using a #2 round. When the shine’s gone, dabble a darker Winsor Blue tint in areas so the background has depth. Repeat on the left side. When the background is completely dry, erase your pencil lines in the clouds.

HOW TO SHORTEN DRYING TIMES You may want to use a hairdryer on low or medium speed to shorten the drying process. This will allow you to move on to your next steps more quickly.

4. Add Color to the Tulip Using a medium tint of Alizarin Crimson loaded to a #2 round, paint the petal centers, making sure the pattern extends outward on each side. Using a #2 round, apply the same tint to the rear petals, using clear water to blend the color upward. 95

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Baby Dragon This baby dragon is a fun project!

BRUSHES #5 round #1 round #2 round #000 round

WATERCOLORS Winsor Blue Ivory Black Raw Sienna Van Dyke Brown Ultramarine Blue Burnt Sienna Indigo Yellow Ochre Red Brown Permanent Yellow Light Winsor Emerald Permanent Rose Magenta Violet Opera Payne’s Grey Peacock Blue Chromium Oxide Green

1. Start with the Initial Sketch Draw the baby dragon directly onto your watercolor paper, or transfer it using tracing paper and graphite, pressing down with an inkless ballpoint pen (see page 11).

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Peacock Dragon Painting a peacock tail may look complicated, but here’s how to build colors and textures to simplify the process. BRUSHES #5 round #2 round #0 round #00 round #1 round

WATERCOLORS Lemon Yellow Ultramarine Blue Peacock Blue Chromium Oxide Green Winsor Blue Viridian Raw Sienna Burnt Sienna Sap Green Cerulean Blue Indigo Ivory Black Red Brown Van Dyke Brown Violet Permanent Yellow Light Yellow Orange

1. Start with Your Pencil Drawing Draw directly onto your watercolor paper, or transfer your drawing using tracing paper and graphite with an inkless ballpoint pen (see page 11).

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Arctic Friends A fairy enjoys the company of her extraordinary Arctic companion. BRUSHES #2 round #00 round #1 round #0 round

WATERCOLORS Naples Yellow Turquoise Payne’s Grey Burnt Sienna Vermillion Alizarin Crimson Indigo Ivory Black Chromium Oxide Green Van Dyke Brown Winsor Blue Peacock Blue Titanium White Cerulean Blue Viridian Permanent Rose Lemon Yellow Hooker’s Green

1. Draw the Image Draw your image directly on your watercolor paper, or use tracing paper and graphite with an inkless ballpoint pen to transfer your drawing to your paper (see page 11).

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6. Finish Apply a darker Viridian tint to the hem and wing patterns with a #1 round. Wet the jewels on the bear’s crown one by one. Apply Lemon Yellow to the top parts, leaving round white highlights. Apply Hooker’s Green to the lower parts, leaving curved highlights. Mix Titanium White with Turquoise and apply to the back crown points. Let dry. Apply medium-dark Turquoise dots to the front of the polar bear’s crown with a #00 round. Apply a medium Winsor Blue tint to the ice in the distance.

Add a light tint of Indigo to the shadows of the fairy and bear. Apply a light Indigo tint to the polar bear’s rump at left and to the fur next to the fairy where she extends her arm. Apply a darker Turquoise tint to the folds of her gown in shadow. Using a small blunt-edge bristle brush loaded with water, lift the background color in irregular spots to indicate twinkling stars. 127

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Free Spirits A fairy rabbit gives a friend a ride.

BRUSHES #5 round #2 round #1 round #0 round #00 round

WATERCOLORS Violet Ultramarine Blue Chromium Oxide Green Permanent Rose Alizarin Crimson Burnt Sienna Van Dyke Brown Indigo Viridian Vermillion Raw Sienna Ivory Black Permanent Yellow Light Yellow Orange Chinese White Turquoise Sap Green Red Brown Hooker’s Green Peacock Blue Winsor Blue Persian Blue

1. Draw the Image Using an HB lead pencil, draw the image directly on your watercolor paper, or use tracing paper and graphite with an inkless ballpoint pen to transfer your drawing onto your paper (see page 11).

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Fairy, Mermaids, and Dragon Create this scene of mythical, magical creatures interacting in their world! BRUSHES #2 round #1 round #00 round #000 round

WATERCOLORS Cerulean Blue Turquoise Blue Payne’s Grey Winsor Blue Ultramarine Blue Permanent Yellow Light Vermillion Raw Sienna Burnt Sienna Sap Green Van Dyke Brown Indigo Chromium Oxide Green Payne’s Grey Red Brown Alizarin Crimson Violet Viridian Permanent Yellow Peacock Blue Permanent Rose

1. Start with Your Drawing Draw directly onto your watercolor paper or transfer your drawing using tracing paper and graphite with an inkless ballpoint pen (see page 11).

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INDEX A

Arctic Friends 124–127 attire, fairy 20

fairies and their realms Arctic Friends 124–127 Dreaming Fairy Bunny 106–111 Fairy, Mermaids, and Dragon 136–141 fairy attire 20 fairy bodies 18–19 fairy heads and hairstyles 16–17 Fairy House 49–53 Fairy Mother and Baby 36–41 fairy wings 21–22 forest details for fairy homes 48–53 Free Spirits 128–135 Full Body Fairy 19 Iris Fairy 26–31 leaves 23–25 maple leaf 23 Mother and Child Fairies 42–47 oak leaf 24 shamrock 25 Snowdrop Fairy 32–35 Fantasy Starfish 63 forest details for fairy homes 48–53 Free Spirits 128–135 Full Body Fairy 19 Full Body Mermaid 61

kneaded erasers 10

B Baby Dragon 112–117 bear 124–127 brushes 10 Bubble Mermaid 72–77 bunnies Dreaming Fairy Bunny 106–111 Free Spirits 128–135

C cat 94–99

D Darling Kitty 94–99 dragons Baby Dragon 112–117 Fairy, Mermaids and Dragon 136–141 Peacock Dragon 118–123 drawing, transferring 11 Dreaming Fairy Bunny 106–111

E enchanted creatures and their realms Arctic Friends 124–127 Baby Dragon 112–117 Darling Kitty 94–99 Dreaming Fairy Bunny 106–111 Fairy, Mermaids, and Dragon 136–141 Free Spirits 128–135 Peacock Dragon 118–123 Seahorses 90–93 Snowy Owl 84–89 Unicorn 100–105 erasers, kneaded 10

G glazing 12

H hairstyles fairy 16–17 mermaid 56–57 house, fairy 49–53

I Iris Fairy 26–31

L leaves 23–25 liquid frisket 11

M maple leaf 23 masking fluid 11 materials 10–11 brushes 10 kneaded erasers 10 masking fluid 11 mechanical pencils 10 paint rags 11 palettes 11 rubber cement pickup 11 watercolor paints 11 watercolor paper 10 mechanical pencils 10 mermaids and their realms Bubble Mermaid 72–77 Fairy, Mermaids, and Dragon 136–141 Fantasy Starfish 63 Full Body Mermaid 61 mermaid bodies 60–61 Mermaid Dream 64–67 mermaid heads and hairstyles 56–57 Mermaid Mother and Children 78–81 Mermaid Splash 68–71 mermaid tails 58–59 under-the-sea details 62 Mother and Child Fairies 42–47

O oak leaf 24 owl 84–89

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paint rag 11 paints, watercolor 11 palettes 11 paper, watercolor 10 Peacock Dragon 118–123 pencils, mechanical 10 polar bear 124–127 projects Arctic Friends 124–127 Baby Dragon 112–117 Bubble Mermaid 72–77 Darling Kitty 94–99 Dreaming Fairy Bunny 106–111 Fairy, Mermaids, and Dragon 136–141 Fairy Head 17 Fairy House 49–53 Fairy Mother and Baby 36–41 Fairy Wing 21–22 Fantasy Starfish 63 Free Spirits 128–135 Full Body Fairy 19 Full Body Mermaid 61 Iris Fairy 26–31 maple leaf 23 Mermaid Dream 64–67 Mermaid Head 57 Mermaid Mother and Children 78–81 Mermaid Splash 68–71 Mermaid Tail 59 Mother and Child Fairies 42–47 oak leaf 24 Peacock Dragon 118–123 Seahorses 90–93 shamrock 25 Snowdrop Fairy 32–35 Snowy Owl 84–89 Unicorn 100–105

rabbits Dreaming Fairy Bunny 106–111 Free Spirits 128–135 rag, paint 11 rubber cement pickup 11

S seahorses 90–93 shamrock 25 skin tones 13 Snowdrop Fairy 32–35 Snowy Owl 84–89 starfish 63 stars 13

T tips and techniques 11–13 glazing 12 skin tones 13 stars 13 transferring a drawing 11 working wet into wet 12 transferring a drawing 11

U under-the-sea details 62 unicorn 100–105

W watercolor paints 11 watercolor paper 10 wings, fairy 21–22 working wet into wet 12

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For my granddaughter, Fiona, a magical creature for sure.

About the Author

ince childhood, Barbara Lanza imagined tiny worlds in the grass and bushes of her hometown of Wildwood, New Jersey. Her devotion to drawing graceful imagery led her to pursue a career in fashion illustration, children’s publishing, fantasy art instruction, and coloring books, as well as art for products. Raising her children in a wooded area of New York State offered the direct contact and love of nature she has sought to share. Throughout the years, her children and little granddaughter have inspired and been portrayed in her art. She, Jerry Kalogeratos, and two cats (Mickey and Angela, named after her favorite artist, Michelangelo), cherish the ever-changing landscape in which they live. Photo by Jerry Kalogeratos

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• WATERCOLOR

Journey to Enchanted Realms!

Marvelous mermaids!

Charming creatures!

A Brush with Fantasy HOW TO PAINT FAIRIES, MERMAIDS AND MAGICAL CREATURES with WATERCOLOR

BARBARA LANZA

HOW TO PAINT FAIRIES, MERMAIDS AND MAGICAL CREATURES with WATERCOLOR

Fabulous fairies!

A Brush with Fantasy

ART TECHNIQUES

LANZA

ABrushWithFantasy_COVER_FINAL .indd 1

Get Creative 6

$22.99 US • $29.99 CAN ISBN 978-1-68462-049-4

5/11/22 10:47 AM

A Brush with Fantasy

Articles inside

Mermaid Tails

Mermaid Heads and Hairstyles

Fairy House

Leaves

Iris Fairy

Tips and Techniques

Fairy Bodies

Fairy Mother and Baby

Fairies and Their Realms

Fairy Heads and Hairstyles

Fairy Wings