Tutorial

Finished Watercolor Bricks

Figure 1

I don't think it matters what colors you use in the sense of this practice brick as long as you use warm and cool colors. However, I like to use colors such as pthalo blue, burnt and raw sienna's and umbers, ochre and Payne's gray.

Bricks, especially old, weathered bricks, are a mix of colors, which makes for interesting patterns and colors. Begin by wetting a small area and the side facing direct light will receive the lightest paint while the portions in shadow will get blue tones.

I enhanced the shadows beneath the bottom
edges of the bricks with more umber-pthalo
mix with the intention of causing the bricks to
stand out more just as they do on the farthest
side from the light. I blended the areas with a
bit more water so that the outlines do not
look sharp and stark. A softer outline is in
keeping with old brick.

I wanted a weathered, pebbled pattern on
the sections between the brick and facing
the light. I laid in a light foundation of a
blue tone as a base for a later step. Use
a smaller brush for these tighter areas.

Figure 2

Figure 3

On the far side of the bricks I added
more brown/blues but kept the
absolute farthest edge lighter.
This helps contrast against the
darkest portion of the background.
A stippled effect creates a pebbled
look between the bricks, on the
bricks and on the outside edges.
Using a color a few values darker
than the original base, dab and
touch the point of your brush into
slightly damp paper.