In this article I share about how to create a grayscale artwork of a dog before painting the dog with watercolors in order to help determine dark and light contrasts for better artwork outcomes.
I hope you’ll try some of the tips and tricks shared in the class video!
Grayscale preliminary drawing of dog with water added using Faber Castell Goldfaber Aqua Shades of Gray markers on paper by Tristina Dietz Elmes.
Some of the things you will learn from this workshop include:
how to turn a picture that is in color to grayscale for a painting reference;
the importance of exploring contrast with black and gray (grayscale);
my new favorite marker set for quick grayscale sketches;
my favorite transfer papers for outlining the dog image;
how to liquify water-soluble markers to create more color gradients;
how to use a grayscale rendered image to inform a color version;
introduced Daniel Smith lunar black (I love the granulation!) and Winsor & Newton neutrals to create a color version of the dog artwork;
and more…
Watercolor dog portrait informed by a grayscale sketch on watercolor paper by artist Tristina Dietz Elmes.
From Gray Values to Color Watercolor Painting Workshop Video Replay
Below is the full video workshop of my Live painting session. The paints, surfaces and accessories used in the video are listed afterwards in this article. Enjoy! 🎨
Here are the video timeline sections if you want to jump to a particular part of the live session:
0:00:00 - Intro to World Watercolor Month and Grayscale vs Full Color Painting
And, here is the July 2026 World Watercolor Month Prompt List:
https://worldwatercolormonth.com/prompts/
Feel free to ask me any follow-up questions in the comments below. Thanks for watching! 😍
Supplies List for Gray Values to Color in Watercolor Workshop
The colors I used of watercolors for this project were:
WINSOR & NEWTON
Yellow Ochre
Quinacridone Gold
New Gamboge
Raw Sienna
Burnt Umber
Caput Mortuum Violet
DANIEL SMITH
Lunar Black
Titanium White Stick
Titanium Buff Stick
Here are links to the supplies list for the paints, markers and accessories shown during the video. As a Blick Affiliate and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases for links below that lead to Amazon and Blick Art Materials.
Faber Castell Goldfaber Aqua Shades of Grey Markers Set of 6 on Blick - https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Ffaber-castell-goldfaber-aqua-dual-markers%2F%3FfromSearch%3D%252Fsearch%252F%253Fsearchword%253DFaber%2BCastell%2BGoldfaber%2BAqua%2BShades%2Bof%2BGrey%2BMarkers%2BSet%2Bof%2B6%26_gl%3D1*rqj0za*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTQyMTQyNjgyMi4xNzgzMzA3OTQ0*_ga_3E69VG1DPB*czE3ODMzMDc5NDQkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODMzMDc5NDQkajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_RJHTE5306J*czE3ODMzMDc5NDQkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODMzMDc5NDQkajYwJGwwJGgw%26Item%3D87323-1076
Saral Transfer Paper Sampler Set of 5 Sheets 8.5x11in - https://amzn.to/44R0P4U
Richeson Transfer Paper Roll 24in x 24ft - https://amzn.to/4fkIXpb
Winsor & Newton Watercolors on Blick - https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fwinsor-newton-professional-watercolor-tubes%2F
Daniel Smith Watercolors on Blick - https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fdaniel-smith-watercolors-paints%2F
Kristy Rice Empty 48 Half Pan Watercolor Paint Palette - https://amzn.to/3QT0zPO
Copic Opaque White with Fine Brush - https://amzn.to/4f3FcTU
Dr PH Martins Bleed Proof White - https://amzn.to/4y42bXy
Blick Essentials Watercolor Paper 90lb 9x12in 15 Sheets - https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2Fproducts%2Fblick-essentials-watercolor-pads%2F%3FfromSearch%3D%252Fsearch%252F%253Fsearchword%253Dblick%2520watercolor%2520paper%26_gl%3D1*ux2buz*_up*MQ..*_ga*MjU1OTIzMzgyLjE3ODMzMDc4MjM.*_ga_3E69VG1DPB*czE3ODMzMDc4MjIkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODMzMDc4MjIkajYwJGwwJGgw*_ga_RJHTE5306J*czE3ODMzMDc4MjMkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODMzMDc4MjMkajYwJGwwJGgw
Canson XL Watercolor Cold Press Paper 140lb 9x12in - https://amzn.to/4414KvW
US Art Supply Cold Press Watercolor Notebooks 140lb 5.5x8.5in Set of 3 - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T21BSDQ?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.2KXA587IB1GL4&linkCode=tr1&tag=dietzart-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.2KXA587IB1GL4_1782703999947
Silver Brush Black Velvet Selection on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3TkxMEn
Fuumuui Sable Watercolor Brushes Set of 8 - https://amzn.to/4bifWIj
Faber Castell Clic-N-Go Collapsible Water Cup Turquoise - https://amzn.to/42tTZRN
My Recommended Cloth-Like Viva Paper Towels 3 Double Rolls - https://amzn.to/3EPZhOW
🎨🎨🎨
Note that most of the list of supplies above can be found on the Blick Art Materials website and shipping is generally free for orders of $79 or more. Check them out here:
https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101492004-12117697?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dickblick.com%2F
************************************If you would like to see other paints, mediums and art supplies that I recommend, click below to go to the Supply Links page on my website:
https://www.dietzart.gallery/supply-links
Or, check out art supply recommendations on my Amazon Storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
https://www.amazon.com/shop/tristinadietzelmes
FREE Live Art Lessons Sunday Afternoons
SUNDAY afternoons I teach a FREE ART LESSON simulcast on YouTube Live and on the WhatNot auction platform followed by a giveaway and sale of my handmade artworks, gift items and some art supplies on WhatNot. You can follow the QR code appearing in the YouTube video or follow the Invite link in the video description to join me on WhatNot for some great Live Auction Art & Gifts deals.
If you're new to Whatnot, sign up with the following link and get $25 in Whatnot credit to use to shop on the platform:
https://www.whatnot.com/invite/tristi...
I hope you'll join me and the thriving Artisan community over on WhatNot soon!
Where to Find My Links
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https://www.ebay.com/str/tristinadietzartst
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Happy Arting! 🎉