Follow these Instructions to Paint a Figure with Light and Shadow
Sep 28, 2026One strategy that I encourage students to implement is focusing in on a subject rather than always working toward a complete scene. Building the muscle memory and working out the timing to paint a boat, a tree, or a car before you need to paint one to complete a fully rendered watercolor scene will serve you well.
So today, let me walk you through the process of painting a figure doused in light.
Painting A Figure In Three Washes
First, for the drawing. Feel free to take a screenshot of my drawing if you'd like to use it for your own painting. This is just practice, so if you're not confident with your drawing skills yet and you really want to focus on the painting process that comes after a drawing, go ahead and use this sketch to guide your painting practice.
First Wash - Lightest Values
In the first wash, you want to focus on the lightest values.
Second Wash
The second wash is for the middle values - not the darkest values yet, and not super detailed. Focus on those values that lie between the light and the dark - and work to create a connected shape with them.
Third Wash
The final wash is for those dark values and the details that you've likely been dying to include (they're always the most interesting). Since you held off on them, though, they'll pop and shine like they should!
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