Swimmer with broad shoulders, Frisbee backhand throw, park lawn, Pont Neuf, Paris, Winter, Preikestolen Pulpit Rock above Lysefjord, Norway, and more — pen + watercolor for June 13, 2026

Today's 8 pen-and-watercolor pieces: Swimmer with broad shoulders, Frisbee backhand throw, park lawn, Pont Neuf, Paris, Winter, Preikestolen Pulpit Rock above Lysefjord, Norway, False killer whale, Black Forest cuckoo at rest, Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy, Lifeboat Drill. Each piece comes with a photo reference, three example artworks in different treatments, and a short focus paragraph naming what to study in this one.

Piece 1 — Swimmer with broad shoulders

Pen + Watercolor · Loose pen and watercolor line-and-wash

Three takes

Focus for this piece

For this piece, concentrate on using layered washes of watercolor to build the powerful, rounded volume of the swimmer's shoulders and chest. Employ a cool, limited palette to capture the wet skin and turquoise water, letting the watercolor soften and blend the musculature while your pen lines define the underlying structure and sharp edges of the suit and goggles.

Piece 2 — Frisbee backhand throw, park lawn

Pen + Watercolor · Loose pen and watercolor line-and-wash

Three takes

Focus for this piece

Today's piece is a focused study on capturing the dynamic rotational energy of a figure in motion. Concentrate on using strong, varied line weights to emphasize the sweeping arc of the throwing arm and the torso's torque, letting lines be firm where energy is concentrated and lighter where movement trails off. Then, with a bright, clean palette, apply quick, fluid wet-on-wet washes to the sunlit grass and background to enhance the sense of speed and open, airy space.

Piece 3 — Pont Neuf, Paris, Winter

Pen + Watercolor · Loose pen and watercolor line-and-wash

Three takes

Focus for this piece

This piece is ideal for practicing how strong ink architecture creates a foundation for atmospheric watercolor washes, especially when depicting stone and water. Establish the segmental arches and mascarons with confident, varied pen line weights, letting heavier lines define foreground detail and shadow. Then, use layered, cool grey and olive washes to render the "blackened undersides" and "cold" Seine, allowing the fluid watercolor to build volume and wetness while the crisp ink holds the structural forms.

Piece 4 — Preikestolen Pulpit Rock above Lysefjord, Norway

Pen + Watercolor · Loose pen and watercolor line-and-wash

Three takes

Focus for this piece

Today's study of Preikestolen focuses on the interplay of sharp definition and atmospheric depth. Use strong, varied pen lines to define the stark, horizontal granite platform and its crack, contrasting them with broad, cool washes that capture the deep, reflective quality of the fjord. Pay particular attention to how wet-on-wet techniques can suggest the soft, distant cliffs and the shadowed face of the rock without losing the hard-edged precision of the foreground.

Piece 5 — False killer whale

Pen + Watercolor · Loose pen and watercolor line-and-wash

Three takes

Focus for this piece

This piece is ideal for studying how to depict sleek, dark forms without them appearing flat against a deep background. Focus on a limited palette of deep blues and Payne's Gray for the whales, building their forms with controlled, layered washes that allow for subtle tonal shifts. Contrast these defined forms with broader, wet-on-wet washes of indigo and cerulean for the surrounding water, using its luminosity and soft transitions to emphasize depth and movement.

Piece 6 — Black Forest cuckoo at rest

Pen + Watercolor · Loose pen and watercolor line-and-wash

Three takes

Focus for this piece

This piece offers a fantastic opportunity to study how strong directional light defines form and texture. Pay close attention to using varying ink line weights to delineate the crisp edges and deep shadows created by the low-raking window light on the carved oak leaves and the clock’s body. Complement this with carefully placed, darker washes in the recesses and under the pine-cone weights to build volume and accentuate the interplay of light and shadow. This will allow you to balance the clock's intricate details with the overall atmospheric quality of aged wood.

Piece 7 — Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy

Pen + Watercolor · Loose pen and watercolor line-and-wash

Three takes

Focus for this piece

Today's subject, Santa Maria della Salute, offers an excellent study in simplifying complex Baroque architecture while conveying its monumental presence. Focus on using varied line weights to define the core octagonal structure and the intricate volute scrolls, reserving heavier lines for foreground elements and lighter ones for recessed details. Build the volume and texture of the Istrian stone façade with subtle, layered washes of warm grey, allowing the light from the Grand Canal to define the tiered niches and arched openings. This piece will challenge you to balance precise architectural drawing with atmospheric watercolor.

Piece 8 — Lifeboat Drill

Pen + Watercolor · Loose pen and watercolor line-and-wash

Three takes

Focus for this piece

This piece is ideal for practicing the contrast between precise architectural linework and lively, gestural elements. Use crisp, unwavering lines to define the massive ship's hull and the sturdy white davits, establishing its structural presence. Then, with minimal pen strokes and concentrated orange washes, bring the crew in their vests and the passengers to life, using their smaller scale to emphasize the ship's grandeur.