Thank you for joining us to explore watercolor underpainting! We learned how to create depth and dimension in pumpkin paintings, practiced wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques, and explored how to add a soft, glowing background using the bokeh effect.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

1. Gather Your Supplies and Sketch Your Pumpkin

You'll need watercolor paper, paints, brushes, a pencil, eraser, two cups of water, and paper towels. Masking tape is recommended to help keep your paper flat.

Draw a light oval for the center of your pumpkin.
Add curved sections on either side to create its rounded shape.
Draw a curved stem and add a few lines for texture.
Gently erase any unnecessary pencil marks.

2. Use Underpainting to Create Depth

Underpainting is the first layer of color applied before the main color. It helps create shadows, highlights, and dimension.

Blue: Creates shadows and darker areas.
Yellow: Adds brightness and highlights.
Orange: Goes over the underpainting as the final pumpkin color.

Tip: Think about where your light is coming from. Add darker blue to the grooves, around the stem, and wherever the light wouldn't reach.

3. Practice Two Watercolor Techniques

Try painting two pumpkins to compare how the techniques affect your results.

Wet-on-Wet: Lightly dampen the paper, then add blue and yellow. The colors will spread and blend softly.
Wet-on-Dry: Apply paint directly to dry paper for more defined brushstrokes and greater control.

Start with the smaller sections at the back of your pumpkin and work toward the center. Allow nearby sections to dry before continuing.

4. Add Your Pumpkin's Final Color

Once your underpainting is completely dry:

Apply a transparent layer of orange or another color of your choice.
Use gentle brushstrokes so the shadows and highlights underneath remain visible.
Add another layer after drying if you want deeper color.
Paint the stem with blue, yellow, brown, or green, following its natural curves.

5. Create a Soft Background with the Bokeh Effect

Bokeh creates the appearance of soft, glowing circles, similar to out-of-focus lights in photographs.

Paint a loose background using autumn colors and let it dry.
Use a clean, damp brush to gently lift small circles of paint.
Blot each circle with a paper towel to create a soft, lighter area.
Vary the sizes and brightness of your circles for a natural effect.

Tip: White gouache or an acrylic marker can also be used if lifting the paint is difficult.

6. Experiment and Make It Your Own

Try blue, purple, green, or gold pumpkins instead of traditional orange.
Experiment with darker or lighter underpainting colors.
Add metallic accents, leaves, or other decorative details.
Turn your finished painting into a personalized Thanksgiving card.

Remember: Watercolor often looks different once it dries. Give each layer time to dry, enjoy experimenting, and don't worry about making every brushstroke perfect!