Step by step guide:
1. Start by sketching basic shapes with a pencil. Once you’re happy with your layout, refine them into real shapes.
2. Go over your pencil lines with a pen.
3. Mix your shadow colour using black and water to create a soft grey tone. Decide on your light source—perhaps from the right? Paint shadows on the darker side and let them dry.
4. Paint the background using the wet-on-dry technique. While the paint is still wet, add darker colours to create depth—this is a wet-on-wet technique. Let it dry.
5. Paint the foreground using the wet-on-dry technique. While the paint is still wet, add stronger colours on the dark side—this is also a wet-on-wet technique.
6. Neaten up your painting by enhancing the lightest lights and darkest darks. Use white gouache, a black pen, or a stronger/darker watercolour.
Tip: As you near completion, use less water and more paint for richer, more defined details.
