Line and Wash

Liz Chaderton’s third book, Line and Wash Painting, was written during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 and explores the range of possibilities the combining of pen and watercolour or ink can lead to. ‘The mixing of media,’ writes Liz, ‘allows the artist to take advantage of the strengths of both. The lines are used to define the edges and details, while the washes develop the colour and emotion.’ There’s no right or wrong way to work so you are free to make choices, whether to start with pen and apply your wash in a detailed or loose way, or go straight in with colour and define the drawing later. This relaxed, norule approach is perfect for working freely and with speed on location.

The book opens with a chapter on materials and equipment, discovering the range of pens on the market, which inks to use, and the paints, brushes and paper you will need, and a chapter on watercolour techniques follows. Each subject is beautifully illustrated with tinted panels throughout with helpful tips and advice. Liz encourages you to experiment with your medium. Every section contains at least one case study, showing the process step by step. The range of subjects is broad, including landscapes, still life, flowers, nature and portraits. A chapter on line and wash follows, combining the two media, and here there is a step-by-step practice session and suggestions on how to broaden your experience – by playing with colour and perspective, using your imagination, changing the surface you work on, and so on. In the chapter on adding a twist, Liz suggests some interesting ideas to try, including introducing text to your work or a third medium such as collage, pastel or metal leaf. Liz is an accomplished artist and an experienced tutor, and the book is deceptively easy to follow with a joyful selection of work, sketchbook studies and exercises to accompany her lively text. See an extract from Liz’s new book on pages 28 to 31 of this issue.

Line and Wash Painting by Liz Chaderton. The Crowood Press, (p/b), £12.99.