TATE Collection III: Watercolour

On two pieces of paper, firstly try out each of your colours on dry paper and then on dampened paper. See how differently the colours appear when there is more or less water, Then make a series of little abstract compositions trying to find less saturated colours, mixing colours together to create softer more neutral marks.

On a new piece of paper with the colours as very transparent layers, allowing the watery nature of the medium to come through, you might take a little section of the Sargent painting and strat to create some of those colours as washes.

Using your two promarkers make some quick, sketchy drawings from sections of the Sargent painting and then overlap washes of transparent watercolour to add a sense of light, colour and atmosphere. Be free with your brushmarks as this seems to be in the spirit of the Sargent painting.

Work on a sketchy watercolour, being more experimental with marks and layers. Dabbing paint off,working on damp areas and dry areas. Try to build a vocabulary of watercolour applications. This is your handwriting.

Now take some sections of the painting and develop more of a sense of illusion by layering delicate washes of colour. Try concentrate on layering warm and cool washes and keep your layers thin. Working wet on wet can create some lovely effects.

Here is another study, firstly working with promarker to sketch the drawing in and then building up fine layers of watercolour to be more accurate and precise, gaining a sense of form and volume. From here it would be great to try and make a transcription from the whole painting. But make lots of quick studies first to give yourself confidence.