In this Mini Class I show you how to paint a realistic dog nose in watercolor, in only one color, with black watercolor paint.
Values are Important for Realistic Painting
The key to making your dog nose look realistic and lifelike is the values – the combination of dark and light – and the contrast between them.
Making it look 3D, wet and shiny is easier than you think.
Paint in Layers to Achieve Depth and Realism
Build up the nose in layers to achieve realism
In watercolor painting layering is important, and in order to make the nose look as realistic and lifelike as possible I build up the colors in layers. Every layer adds its own dimension – the lighter layers are seen through the darker ones – and together they create a 3D look, making the dog come alive on the paper.
Start With the Lightest Color
I start with a very watery mix of black paint and map out the different areas of the nose. This will be my guide as I move forward in the painting process, and will help me keep track of where the lighter and darker areas are.
I don´t worry about getting any hard edges or overlapping dried watercolor areas. The nose will be painted darker in the layers to come so if it looks patchy now it will not be visible later on.
Stippling – a Useful Watercolor Technique for Texture
I leave the shiny parts unpainted and apply the paint in dots around them. Dog noses are textured, and by applying dots, a watercolor technique called stippling, I create a textured transition between the light sheen and the darker areas surrounding it. This will add to the illusion of realism.
Apply Darker Paint for Contrast
With my reference photo as support I slowly build up the shape and form of the nose by applying darker paint in layers.
I refine the shapes of the shiny areas by applying the paint in dots, and I also add curved lines around the nostrils, to refine the shape and structure of the nose. I paint the nostrils darker to create a 3D look, they extend into the nose and are darker the further in we look.
Finishing Touches
I soften the fur at the top part of the nose to create a soft transition between the nose and fur area. And after slightly darkening the upper right of the nose and adding some more dots of paint to create texture, the nose is finished, looking all wet, shiny and realistic.
The watercolor portrait of this beautiful black labrador with velvety fur and a shiny wet nose is now finished. The fur and nose are painted with one single, black color and you can see how the different values of the paint – darks and lights – are creating the realistic look.
This video is a fun, shortened lesson on how to paint a dog’s nose with detailed features in an easy-to-follow manner.
ART COMMUNITY – LEARN TO PAINT REALISTIC ANIMALS & WILDLIFE IN WATERCOLOR
This beautiful realistic portrait of a black Labrador dog in watercolor is a full length Masterclass available in Wildlife Studio – my online Art School & Community, inspired by the beauty of animals & nature, launching soon.
FROM STUCK TO UNSTOPPABLE?
WHAT IF….
you could STOP feeling frustrated and stuck
and START painting the animals you love – with confidence and joy?
Let me save you years of figuring it out on your own, and show you how to paint realistic animals and wildlife in watercolor, refine your skills, grow your confidence as an artist, and transform your watercolor paintings from ORDINARY TO EXTRAORDINARY!
If I can do it so can you!
With clear instructions, the right guidance and support I believe anyone can learn how to paint amazing realistic watercolors.
And I learned it the hard way, so you don´t have to ♥
Join the fun and let’s paint together! Sign up to the waitlist here:
