June Painting Project: Instructions

This project is about painting detail, specifically to paint something with water drops, such as a glass with condensation on the outside or dew on a flower. Painting water drops will take a little practice and persistence, but is worth it as they can add so much to a painting. It's excellent practice in painting realistic detail and observation.

If you don't usually paint realistically or with detail, I suggest doing the project as a study or small-sized painting, so that you're focusing on just this, rather than doing it as part of a larger painting.

If you're not sure how to tackle a water drop, read the How to Paint a Water Drop how-to article, which explains the 'anatomy' of water drops and how/why the different highlights and shadows exist.

Remember, as they're transparent, water drops take on the color of whatever they're on. It's easier to start with a droplets on something that's a solid color, such as a leaf, rather than a transparent object, such as a glass, where you also have to deal with the colors 'showing through' the glass.

Here are some ideas for paintings:

• A single dew drop on a flower or leaf.
• Condensation drops on the outside of a glass with a cold drink in it.
• Water drops on a pot plant after you've watered it.
• Water on a raincoat or other water-repelling clothing which causes the water to bead up.
• Water dripping from your hair when you're washing it.
• Drops on a counter top when you've sloshed some liquid.
• The sweat on the brow of someone exercising.
• The sweat on your brow as you concentrate to master water drops!

Submission: Please note that new submissions for this project gallery are currently not being accepted. Check the list of monthly painting projects to see what this month's project is. This doesn't mean you shouldn't tackle this particular project, just that if you want feedback on your project painting you need to post a photo of it in the Painting Forum (in the Painting Projects Folder).