Art Journal: Wading Through Deep Waters

I have discovered in life that most of life's challenges are easier to face if we don't have to do it alone. Having a friend or two at your side when you are facing deep waters, makes the wading through seem so much easier. Today's art journal blog is a tribute to great friendships and good friends.

We begin today's blog on black paper and use a tinted white charcoal pencil to draw the picture with.

I start with the legs and bottoms of the three figures.

Then I draw their upper bodies.

I add their heads and the water.

I colour their bathing costumes and swimming caps with soft pastels.

I take my time to add detail to the clothing.

I then colour the bodies, making sure to give each them a different skin tone. After all, none of us look the same.

Now it is time to colour the water.

I colour white over the lower parts of their legs to make it seem as if they are standing in the translucent water.

Then I use a white pastel to draw the foam/concentric rings around their legs and the highlights on the figures.

Shadows and detail is added with a charcoal pencil.

I prevent the picture from smudging by spraying it with fixative.

I use a white chalk pencil to write the journalling: "When we have to face life's deep waters, it is always better to have one or two friends by your side. - Miekie"

The final picture.

You can also watch a short compilation video of the steps above here:
https://youtu.be/N7wTLFMi0vA

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
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Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
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