Venice Grand Canal
The Venice Grand Canal is the largest in Italy,measuring over four kilometers in length!
REFERENCE PHOTO
Starting off with a strong reference photo makes the painting process much easier. Using a reference photo (copyright-free) helps with the composition of the piece.
Art Board
I have found a new and improved product to paint on! Canva Artboards. They are artboards made with canvas paper laminated unto one side. Perfect for painting with an easel.
The Sketch
Whenever I am making a detailed painting I like to sketch the major elements. This way I have clear guide lines to start with.
TIME TO BLOCK THINGS IN!
To create depth, it is important that I look beyond the surface of the reference photo. What this requires is proper usage of colours and shades, as well as trial and error. Creating the colour about two shades darker than the top layer gives leniency and the ability to add highlights later on.
ADDING MORE ELEMENTS
Now I have blocked in the trees and sidewalk. To get crisp lines I used washi tape, a lightly adherent tape that won't damage the existing layers of paint.
FUN FACT: Washi tape is mainly used for bullet journaling!
ADDING WATER, BOATS,
AND WINDOWS.
The water is a rich dark green surrounding the boats of different shapes, sizes and colours. I also added a few windows.
Putting In Details
Now I have hand painted each brick on the house and put in the rest of the doors and windows. At the bottom of the houses I have used washi tape to make my lines perfectly straight.
LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS.
At this point I have added several more layers to the the buildings, water, and boats. I've also made windows sills, flower boxes, and reflections for the boats. It's important to blend the waterline to the boats, so they won't appear as if they're floating over the water...these aren't airboats.
Finished!
(or so i thought)
I was finally ready to add the final details to this piece to finish it off, but what's better than a little sparle?! Just a few hints of gold completed the Venice Grand Canal.
