When designing a large painting, it is important to keep in mind that there must be negative space for the eye to rest, especially with a very large painting. Good designing of the negative space will give balance to the overall design.
After I have designed my composition, complete with all the reference material on hand, I then lightly sketch the background, using a pencil with a medium hardness, HB or #2. This hardness is good for drawing on watercolor paper as you do not have to press the pencil too hard into the paper. Also, it is very easy to erase.
Once my background is designed, I then add the wildlife elements, making certain that all the animals, birds or flowers are to scale to each other.
After I have completed my whole sketch on the large paper, I begin painting from the right side of the painting and complete all elements going from right to left. By working from right to left, I do not disturb my drawing, since I am right-handed. As I am standing while I paint, for large paintings only, I am able to step back frequently to look at the painting as I work. This is a little tricky while using watercolor. However, I use a mostly dry brush technique so I do not have too much of a problem with paint running. I keep a paper towel in my hand at all times to blot any errant paint dribbles.
The total time investment for a large painting, no matter what water media is used, will take three to five months from the building of the WC board to the final varnishing of the completed painting. I would strongly advise an artist only elect to invest the time doing a large painting if the painting has been commissioned by a client who is familiar with the artist’s work. Otherwise you may have invested lots of your time into a painting you could end up keeping.
