Making of The door of the garden

Lately I found an old sketch I made about a dreamy garden a year ago. I got inspired again and finally painted it ! It was a bit tricky since I didn't paint for real in a while now but I must say, I'm quite happy about the result. I'm thinking of painting a set of enchanting gardens, maybe bigger ? What do you think ?

So here are the steps once I found my sketch (you can follow the pictures too):

1. First I made a few complementary searches to have a precise idea of what was to become and put washi tape on the sides to keep the sides clean.

2. Then I started the lineart with my finest pigma micron (it could be any pen with a fine tip as long it is waterproof, unfortunately, the only brands I heard of that makes such pen are Pigma micron and Faber Castell which are quite expensive. But I think it's worth it since it would last long). When I finished the lineart, I used an other pen with a wider tip to add definition to the elements and the forefront.

3. I took a picture of the drawing to make color tests with Procreate but this step is optional, I just don't trust enough my color picking ability.

4. Once the drawing was clean enough, I added masking tape with a fine brush and let it dry.

5. I started to paint big chunks with light colors so the different parts would have the same undertones.

6. Strate by strate, I added various shades of green so it would look soft but colorful at the same time.

7. When everything that could be painted was done, I gently removed the dried masking tape (I use a sort of see-through plastic pencil but you can do so with clean fingers all the same)

8. And it's finally time to add the details : the colorful spots that did'nt need green in their undertones, the tiny sprouts with white ink and the lighting effects.

9. Then Tadaaaaaaaaa !!!!! It's time to remove the washi tape and sign your work !

It was a bit of a challenge for me since I didn't use watercolors in a long time but it was so satisfying I am eager to do it again ! Hopefully it will be easier.