Often new watercolorists are hesitant to add figures of people to their paintings for fear of messing up their work. Because painting people is a skill usually considered harder to do many novice painters just don’t include figures. However, figures can add life to a landscape and aren’t as hard to paint as some new artists might think are. Drawing or painting figures is not the same as drawing or painting a portrait as it involves less detail.
When to Include Figures in a Watercolor Landscape
Just adding figures to a landscape for the sake of filling a space is not a good reason to include them. When determining whether or not to add figures to a painting, first decide the type of mood you want to depict. For example, a landscape designed to convey peace and seclusion may not be the best painting for figures, notes Elizabeth Tate in her book The North Light Illustrated Book on Painting Techniques.
On the other hand, figures can enhance a landscape where you want to show action such as a child fishing in a stream or a couple walking down a winding road. Figures can also depict distance or size. For example, placing a tiny figure on a distant shoreline can emphasize the immenseness of a body of water.
Position of Figures in a Painting
Where you position figures in your landscape is important. Because the landscape is the main focus of your painting you don’t want to place your figure in the center. However, if you figure is exceptionally small, it's usually okay to place it in the middle.
You don't want your figure drawing to become the main focus. When a larger figure is centered in a landscape, it becomes more of a portrait, with the landscape as the background, rather than just a figure.
Proper Proportions of Figures
It’s important your figures be drawn proportionate to their surroundings. If uncertain then lightly pencil in your figure so you can check the scale of the figure to its surroundings in the landscape.
The most common mistake new artists make is making a figure’s head too large for the rest of the body. When you’re sure the proportions are the right size, go ahead and apply light washes of paint. You can also draw your figure on a small piece of tracing paper and then lay it on the painting to ensure the scale is right. Just wait until your painting is totally dry before placing it on your paper.
Tips for Drawing and Painting Figures
- Remember that small figures are more of a representation of people rather than a photographic image. Just a few basic strokes can suggest arms and legs.
- Keep it simple. Although the key to drawing or painting a figure is to keep it simple, one of the hardest things novices encounter is trying to simplify an image. In other words, you need considerably less marks and/or lines on your paper.
- Look for the light source. Be sure to include shadows, especially if it’s a sunny day.
- Only a few colors are needed. Some of the basic colors for figure painting are those such as raw umber, raw sienna and burnt sienna. A very weak, diluted orange color is good for skin tones of light-skinned people who are not in the far distance.
- Sometimes include pen and ink. An ink drawing added to a watercolor landscape does well especially when depicting figures that are in silhouette form.
If your first attempts at painting figures don't work, then keep practicing. Small pencil sketches are good for horning your skills. Also experiment with colors, strokes and different brushes. Before long you’ll develop more confidence and will even get excited about looking for spots to include figures in your paintings.
Sources:
Elizabeth Tate, The North Light Illustrated Book of Painting Techniques, Quarto Publishing, 1986
Pen Ink Watercolor Sketching: Drawing People (date accessed 2-21-2011).
Drawing Hhow to Draw: How to Draw Figures and People in Landscapes (date accessed 2-21-2011).
Cameron Weller: Drawing Figures (date accessed 2-21-2011).
Venice Kichura - Venice Kichura is a freelance writer who writes on a variety of subjects. She holds a special passion for topics relating to art and ...
