Watercolour/drawing process

Somebody asked if I could do a step by step series of one of my sketches - so here it is. This is a 1914 car called an ONO - based on a Fiat S74 chassis with a Pope Hartford engine. It raced in the Vanderbilt Cup Races in San Francisco.

This is a quick sketch to work out the angle and get used to drawing the car...

On to the posh paper now. I lightly put in the horizon, perspective construction lines and body with a 2H pencil...


Then I add the wheels and other important features...


I switch to a softer pencil - perhaps a HB or B - and strengthen some lines and add more detail to the area at the front of the car. I've also added a wash to the background though sometimes I do this last...


Now I add colour to the rest of the car. I like to leave areas unpainted and sketchy as it focuses your attention on just one part and it helps to keep the image loose - which is tricky when you're not working from life...


Finally I use a pencil to add a bit of contrast and clarity to any bits that need it - and also a white pen for some highlights and it's done...


Here's a close up...


... and my desk showing the tools I used. Hope it was interesting...