Watercolor Marker Reflections Formal Balance

The following art experience will use watercolor markers and permanent markers because they will both react differently with water. You will be creating a formal balance design by transferring a watercolor marker drawing to create a mirror image.

Formal Balance The subject matter for this drawing will be something from nature in the water standing at the edge of a river, pond, or lake. The drawing will be completed on the top half of the paper then transferred to make a reflection on the lower half.

Formal Balance Begin with a piece of 12” x18” white drawing paper and fold it in half. Whether you fold the paper vertical or horizontal will depend on your subject matter and compositional arrangement.

Formal Balance In this example a duck is sitting in the water with a background of cattails, a bank, and sunset. A simple composition but it fills the space. The duck becomes the center of interest because of it’s size and placement. Include as many details as possible.

Formal Balance Once the drawing is completed in pencil it will be traced over in permanent black marker. Permanent ink will not bleed or blur when it is covered with water.

Contrast Now use contrasting watercolor markers to fill in your drawing. Light colors place next to darker colors will make your work more visible from a distance.

Formal Balance You do not have to keep your paper up right when you work, turn your paper to reach different areas. This will keep your hand in a comfortable position and help you avoid smearing wet colors.

Formal Balance You can leave white paper showing through to create highlights or to create textures and interesting surfaces.

Formal Balance Using a water bottle adjust the nozzle to a mist spray and wet the blank lower half of the drawing with an even coat of clear water. Avoid spraying water on the drawing in the upper half of the paper.

Formal Balance Fold the paper in half and spray first one side and then the other. Make sure you are using a mist and that you cover the whole paper, especially sides and corners.

Formal Balance Sandwich your paper between a folded section of newspaper, use only a single sheet. This will help blot away excess water.

Formal Balance Rub the paper evenly with your hand to transfer your image to the blank half of the paper. Make sure you flip it over and rub the other side before placing it in the drying rack.

Formal Balance When your artwork is dry you will repeat the drawing in reverse on the transferred half using the colored shapes as a guide. Using a light table or the window will also make it easier to transfer the drawing.

Formal Balance Begin by drawing water ripples across the lower half. Next start redrawing the outlines of the shapes. One thing that is different is that as you redraw the shapes make your lines wiggle.

Formal Balance This will give the lower half the feeling that it is a reflection of the upper half. The reflected drawing will look like it has been distorted by the ripples on the surface of the water.

Example