update - tutorial video now available
Colouring Water Drops
One of my favourite things to draw and colour are water drops and bubbles. They can be tricky but I've got a few tips for you to help, a tutorial video and a free line art download for you to colour along with.
I have used Spectrum Noir Illustrators Alcohol Markers, Posca pen in white and black Aqua Tint pen in this example. I chose this image as it demonstrates all of the key points I like to include when drawing and colouring water drops really well.
Water refracts light and so distorts the image behind it. This can be seen as magnification and curving the image but most noticeably flipping the image upside down and back to front.
The above image shows this in more detail refracting the image of the blurred flower behind it and the grass blade beneath it. This principle can be used to create smaller water drops like the dew drops on these rose petals. The colour found under the drop is coloured at the top of the drop and visa versa.
An important part of a water drop is the highlights and shadows. The surface of water reflects light and so has pure white spots or crescent shapes. The curve on the edges of water drops concentrate any colours that are refracted and so are always darker. Also the 3D shape will cast a shadow on the surface of what it is sitting on. All of these things put together will make your water drops look more realistic and believable.
If you would like to watch how I coloured my water drops click image below and download the line art for you to colour along here.
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