The following is a description of the typical process my clients and I go through to produce a watercolor rendering. Although each project is unique, these three to four steps are used more often than not.

STEP ONE: CAD DRAWING

When I first started, I drew my perspectives. constructing them geometrically on paper. Even though I still do this from time to time, creating a 3D computer model is worth the extra time it takes for greater accuracy and multiple views. With a 3D computer model, I provide several perspective views to start the dialog with the client. I have also roughly sketched over a few of the perspective views, adding trees or anything necessary to give a little ambiance to the sterile computer model.

After the perspective view has been approved by the client, a hand drawn line drawing is constructed. This step will not only flesh out the detail not picked up in STEP ONE, but adds landscaping, people, cars, and/or anything else which is a priority to the client. The hand drawing prevents heavy spots which are typical of computer generated line drawings and are difficult to paint over in transparent watercolor. This step also gives the overall rendering an even handed feel, which eliminates the overly exacting nature typical of a computer generated line drawing.

This step is requested from time to time, typically when a client is either unsure of the final color selection or wants more say in the overall effect of the color. Shown at this stage is a selected area painted on the rendering, though a smaller version of the overall rendering is requested at times. Even though a color study adds more time to the rendering, some of it is recouped in STEP FOUR because any problem areas can be thought out better or seen at this step.

Once the client approves all previous steps, an offset or ocee print on watercolor paper is made from the original line drawing at STEP TWO. Then a finished watercolor rendering is painted and detailed. This line drawing can be printed in black, giving the building a slight outlined effect which helps sharpen the image (this has been the preferred method) or screened to a light grey which in effect will disappear once painted over, giving a slightly fuzzier but more photographic look.