Summary:
The purpose of this paper is to conduct an in-depth analysis and research on the painting language of realistic watercolor figure painting, and to explore the influence of key factors such as watercolor techniques, texture processing, and light and shadow expression on the picture effect. First of all, the application of watercolor techniques was systematically summarized and summarized, including wet painting and dry painting. Secondly, the importance of texture treatment in watercolor figure painting is discussed, and effective expression methods and techniques are proposed.
I. Preamble
As an important form of expression of painting art, realistic watercolor figure painting has a unique artistic charm and expression techniques. Using watercolor as the medium, it expresses the image and emotional core of the characters in a realistic way, and creates a vivid and three-dimensional image through the treatment of color, line and texture, which is deeply loved and sought after by the audience.
As an ancient and dynamic form of painting, watercolor occupies an important position in the field of painting. Its unique expression and artistic effect make it one of the important tools for artists to express their emotions and ideas. Realistic watercolor figure painting is an important type of watercolor painting, which shows the unique charm and expressiveness of watercolor painting through the true depiction of human figures and emotional expression.
II. Composition and Structure
A. Principles of Composition
The compositional design of realistic watercolor figure painting is the basis of the whole work, which directly affects the visual effect and expressiveness of the work. When composing a picture, there are some basic principles and methods that artists need to follow:
Balance and contrast: Composition requires a sense of balance in the picture, and through the use of contrasting size, shape, color and other elements, the picture can reach a dynamic balance state, so as to enhance the visual impact and attractiveness.
Focus: Through reasonable layout and clear theme positioning, the character or theme becomes the visual focus in the picture, attracting the viewer's attention and highlighting the theme and emotion of the work.
Rhythm and flow: The composition should pay attention to the rhythm and flow of the picture, and create a dynamic sense of rhythm through the use of lines, shapes and colors, so that the picture has vitality and tension.
Diagonal and symmetry: Diagonal is a common dynamic element in composition to guide the viewer's gaze and enhance the sense of movement and hierarchy in the picture, while symmetry is a common stable element in composition to create a balanced and harmonious visual effect.
B. Character layout
The position and proportion of the characters in the picture are crucial to the overall effect of the picture. Artists need to consider the following aspects when laying out their characters:
Primary and secondary relationship: According to the theme and emotion of the work, determine the position and proportion of the main character and supporting role, so that it forms a clear primary and secondary relationship in the picture and highlights the theme.
Dynamic and static: Through the posture, movement and position arrangement of the characters, a dynamic or static atmosphere is created to enhance the expressiveness and appeal of the picture.
Foreground and background: Reasonably arrange the foreground and background positions of the characters, so that they cooperate with each other to form a sense of hierarchy and depth of field, and enhance the three-dimensional sense and sense of space of the picture.
C. Contextual environment
The treatment of the background environment directly affects the overall effect and atmosphere of the picture, and artists need to pay attention to the following aspects when dealing with the background environment:
Emotional resonance: The background environment should echo with the characters and the emotions of the theme, creating a harmonious and unified atmosphere, and enhancing the expressiveness and appeal of the picture.
Spatial perspective: Through the principle of perspective and color contrast, the sense of distance and depth of the background is created, and the three-dimensional sense and sense of space of the picture are enhanced.
Detail processing: The detailed processing of the background environment should pay attention to the sense of reality and vividness, and enrich the level and details of the picture through the depiction of light and shadow, texture and details, and enhance the ornamentation.
III. Spatial Perception and Perspective
A. Perspective Principle
The principle of perspective plays a key role in realistic watercolor figure painting, which gives the picture a sense of depth and realism by simulating the characteristics of human vision. In figure painting, the principle of perspective is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
First of all, a little perspective is one of the commonly used perspective techniques in figure painting. By determining a point in the center of the picture and using it as a reference, different lines are drawn from far and near, so that the objects in the picture visually show a gradual convergence effect. This perspective technique can effectively create a sense of depth and three-dimensionality in the picture, so that the viewer can feel immersive.
Secondly, two-point perspective is also commonly found in realistic watercolor figure paintings. By identifying two different perspective points in the picture and drawing the corresponding perspective lines, the objects in the picture present a more complex spatial structure. This perspective technique is often used to draw scenes with complex spatial relationships, such as city streets, buildings, etc., which can make the picture more layered and realistic.
B. Depth and distance
In realistic watercolor figure painting, the treatment of color and line is one of the important means to create a sense of space and distance.
First of all, the artist can express the relationship between the distance and proximity of objects through color contrast. Distant objects tend to have more subtle tones, while closer objects show more vivid and saturated colors. Through this color contrast, the viewer can clearly feel the distance and position relationship between the different objects in the picture.
Secondly, the use of lines also plays a crucial role in creating a sense of space. In the picture, distant objects often show more blurred and unclear lines, while closer objects show more clear and defined lines. Through the processing of such lines, the artist is able to effectively convey the sense of distance and depth between objects, making the picture more three-dimensional and realistic.
C. Character Relationships
The spatial relationship between the characters is not only the order of arrangement in the picture, but also an important means of expressing emotions and storylines.
First of all, the relative position of the characters can directly reflect the emotional relationship between the characters. For example, the distance between two characters, the relative position, etc., can convey the intimacy or tension between them. By arranging the relative positions of the characters, the artist is able to more vividly express the emotional exchange and interaction between the characters.
Secondly, the dynamic relationship of the characters can also reflect the development and changes of the storyline. Through the gestures, movements, and expressions between the characters, the viewer can intuitively feel the direction of the storyline's development and emotional changes. By arranging the dynamic relationship of the characters, the artist can more vividly express the ups and downs of the storyline, and enhance the storytelling and appeal of the picture.
IV. Use and Expression of Color
A. Color matching
In realistic watercolor figure painting, color matching is crucial, which directly affects the overall effect of the picture and the visual perception of the viewer. The principles and techniques of color matching mainly include the following:
The principle of color contrast: The reasonable use of color contrast can make the picture more vivid and interesting. For example, the contrast between warm and cold colors, light and dark, and complementary colors can enhance the contrast and attractiveness of the picture.
The principle of color coordination: color matching should not only have contrast, but also coordination. When choosing colors, consider the relationship between them, such as hue, lightness, and saturation, so that the overall tone is harmonious and unified.
Color Emotion Principle: Different colors elicit different emotional responses. For example, red often represents enthusiasm and strength, and blue often represents calmness and tranquility. According to the needs of the character image and emotional expression, choose the right color to express the emotion.
Color Atmosphere Principle: Color can create different atmospheres and environments. For example, warm tones can create a feeling of warmth and comfort, while cool tones can create a calm and composed atmosphere. Choose the right color mix according to the situation and atmosphere you want to express in the picture.
B. Color contrast
Color contrast plays a crucial role in the picture, which can not only enhance the three-dimensional and layered sense of the picture, but also guide the viewer's gaze, making the picture more attractive and appealing.
Enhance contrast: Through the contrast between light and dark and cold and warm colors, the objects in the picture can be presented more clearly, and the contrast and layering of the picture can be enhanced.
Guiding the Gaze: The clever use of color contrast can guide the viewer's gaze and make them pay more attention to the important parts of the image, thus achieving the effect of highlighting the subject.
Expressing emotion: Color contrast can also be used to express the emotional state of a character. For example, through the contrast of cold and warm colors, the inner warm and cold emotions of the characters can be expressed, and the expressiveness and appeal of the picture can be enhanced.
C. Color emotion
Color has a lot of potential in expressing the emotions and atmosphere of a character, and it can convey different emotions and atmospheres through different colors.
Enthusiasm and energy: Red and orange are often used to express enthusiasm and energy, and can be used to express the positive emotional state of the character.
Calm and composed: Blue and green are often used to express calmness and composure, and can be used to express the rational and calm emotional state of the character.
Melancholy and depression: Gray and black are often used to express melancholy and depression, and can be used to express the gloom and pain of the characters' hearts.
V. Techniques and Expressions
A. Watercolor technique
Watercolor painting is a widely used painting medium with unique expressive effects and technical characteristics. Commonly used watercolor techniques and expressions include:
Wet vs. Dry: Wet painting is done by spraying or applying water to a piece of paper and then painting directly on a wet surface to create a soft transition, while dry painting is done on dry paper for clearer and more defined colors.
Gradient technique: By gradually mixing different colors of watercolor on a wet screen, a smooth gradient effect can be achieved to express the transition of light and shadow and the sense of three-dimensionality.
Wet topping: Watercolor of different concentrations is applied to wet paper, and the diffusion effect of pigments on the wet paper is used to form a natural flow of color gradation and texture.
Dry brushing: Using a dry brush and paint, applied to dry paper, it can produce rough textures and textures, and is suitable for expressing rough materials or details.
Blue Shift: After applying a layer of paint to a wet picture, gently absorb or move the paint with a brush or sponge to form a soft transition effect, which is often used to express natural scenes such as the sky and water.
B. Texture treatment
Through the texture processing of watercolor, the three-dimensional sense and realism of the figure can be enhanced, making it more lifelike. Some commonly used texture treatments include:
Comparison of dry and wet textures: The combination of wet and dry painting methods is used to express the texture differences of different parts. For example, the skin of a character can be painted wet to express a soft texture, and the clothing can be painted dry to express a hard texture.
Layered texture: Through multi-layer superimposed colors and gradient color techniques, rich color levels and textures are formed, and the three-dimensional sense and layering of the character image are enhanced.
Detailing: Attention to detail depiction and processing, such as the wrinkles of the characters, the folds of clothing, the luster of the hair, etc., can make the characters more realistic and vivid.
C. Light and shadow performance
Light and shadow play a vital role in realistic watercolor figure painting, which not only enhances the three-dimensional and layered sense of the picture, but also creates a rich atmosphere and emotion.
Chiaroscuro: With reasonable chiaroscuro, you can make the picture more vivid and interesting. In figure painting, the areas illuminated by light are usually bright, while the shadows are darker, enhancing the three-dimensionality and contours of the figure through contrast.
Light and shadow transitions: The use of gradient color techniques and wet topography can achieve natural transitions between light and shadow, making the light and shade changes more soft and smooth.
Reflective treatment: The reflection of the surface of the character is an important part of the light and shadow effect, and by accurately capturing the reflection of the surface of the character, the picture can be made more realistic and three-dimensional.
VI. Conclusion
Realistic watercolor figure painting occupies an important position in the field of painting with its unique artistic characteristics. First of all, it shows the artist's ability to capture and express the real image of the figure, and through the detailed depiction and emotional expression of the figure, the viewer can deeply feel the connotation and emotion of the work. Secondly, realistic watercolor figure painting has a unique charm in artistic aesthetics, with its soft colors and smooth lines, creating a fresh and natural atmosphere, giving people a sense of pleasure and pleasing to the eye. In addition, realistic watercolor figure painting also has a broad application space in artistic creation, which can be used to paint portraits, character stories, landscape depictions and other themes and scenes, bringing more possibilities and imagination space for artistic creation.
Author: Lu Xilin
Bibliography:
Coulter, Robert. "Watercolor: You Can Do It!: From Concept to Finished Painting." North Light Books, 2015.
Clark, Tony. "Watercolor: A New Beginning: A Holistic Approach to Painting." Watson-Guptill, 2018.
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