Paint Fine Art Miniatures in Watercolor
Miniature paintings, no larger than 2 X 3 inches, have a long history. In ancient Greece they have been found on coins and to decorate jewelry. In Elizabethan times, tiny portraits were put into lockets or shown, as we might show a small photograph. Enthusiasts form societies to share interest in this style of art. Another style of miniatures is producing Artists' Trading Cards and are intended to be shared with other artists or friends. The medium of watercolor lends itself to the delicate and detailed execution of miniature painting.
Contents
Steps
Preparing
- Decide on a subject for your painting. Almost any subject that is done large scale will lend itself to miniature painting. Portraits, animals, flowers, birds, fruits and vegetables, historical subjects, seascapes and almost anything imaginable makes a good subject.
- Pick good quality paper. Paper without a great deal of surface texture works best. Use a sheet from a pad of #140 cold pressed watercolor paper. Or, buy a large sheet of hot press, but you will only be using a tiny part of it. Practice on both types as they accept paint differently and need some practice to do confidently.
- Draw a 2 X 3 inch or a 2 ½ X 3 ½ inch rectangle in pencil on it, leaving the small rectangle on the paper for easy handling. You can cut it out when it is completed.
- Purchase a set of watercolors. You’ll want a full range of basic colors. For brushes, you will need small but springy ones intended for watercolor. Get rounded and flat ones. Add a water container, tissues, and a board to support your work, or just keep the page attached to the cardboard backing of a pad.
Designing and Sketching
- Plan your design. Try to get a strong composition and keep details and surface texture to a minimum. Try out ideas by doing a page of “thumbnail sketches.” This is a good way to test ideas.
- Do your thumbnail sketches on a page with lots of white paper around them. Draw 2 X 3 inch vertical and horizontal rectangles on a sketchbook page or on a piece of computer printer paper. Avoid having them touch the paper’s margins. This gives you flexibility in adding or changing the dimensions and focus of your design.
- Color the thumbnails if you wish.
- Keep thumbnails very simple if you desire. Dynamic and to the point is good sometimes.
- Sketch out your design in pencil. Shade it with the side of your pencil to create a “value plan.” This shows how the colors will be distributed in the final piece, but, at this point, color is represented by a range of gray shades going from white to black with a few steps in between.
- Analyze the possibilities of each before settling on one of your sketches to paint. Begin by choosing a less complex subject that you are familiar with.
- Sketch your idea onto the watercolor paper lightly in pencil.
Painting
- Activate your paints. Get comfortable and go to work. Be warned that, depending on the complexity of the drawing, the small size of these paintings is no shortcut to the time it takes to painting one. In most cases, they take almost as long to do as a larger piece.
- Work as you would with a normal sized watercolor. A good method is to establish your design and color pattern by first doing an under layer of light washes of color. Try not to get your paper too wet in order to keep the accuracy of your strokes. Work all over and allow this first layer to dry.
- Return to the piece and refine it. Do accents using richer colors. Allow it to dry thoroughly, study it, and further tweak it, if necessary.
- Place your finished work in a purchased mat and frame. Hang it on a wall, or put it on a tiny easel and place it on a shelf or table.
Going Above and Beyond
- Be inspired to do more. This one small, lonely piece will be dwarfed by a big wall. Work toward the goal of doing enough tiny paintings to create a grouping on your wall.
- Think of unifying the small paintings by style, subject or color. Or, just hang them randomly according to your mood and taste. Take pride in displaying your work.
- Sign your work, but meet the challenge of making your signature readable without overtaking the composition. A fine line Sharpie or a very small pointed brush will work to do your signature.
Tips
- Be on the lookout for accessories at arts and craft stores for Artist’s Trading Cards; tiny picture frames, display easels, mini canvases, cellophane jackets to hold and keep work, and small booklets or portfolios with empty sleeves for viewing the work.
- Working small is a good way to enjoy a hobby without it overtaking your living space.
