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2.06.2013

Wednesday's Sketchbook: How to Colour in a Sofa

This term in rendering class, I've learned that colouring for interior design entails a lot more than staying in the lines. It's a whole layered, time consuming, and surprisingly difficult process!
Today I'm going to walk you through the steps to turn this:
 Into this: 
If you would like to follow along and give it a try, I got the outline image of the sofa here.
Step One: Using a dark brown pencil crayon, give the top of the back cushions a slight indent, and soften the outline of the corners.
Step Two: Using the Prismacolor Marker 'French Grey 10", fill in each section of the sofa with a uniform wash of color.
Step 3: Use French Grey 30 to create thick rounded outlines on each of the couch cushions, keeping in mind the direction of your light source (mine is from the right of the image).
Step Four: Use French Greys 50 and 70 in the very edges and darkest point of shadow.
Step Five: Go over the entire couch with a uniform wash using a tan marker. I used Prismacolor's 'Sand'. Repeat the application, pressing harder on the edges and areas of shadow.
Step Six: Use a dark brown pencil crayon to emphasize soft shadows.
Step Seven: Use a blade to shave a small amount of dark brown pastel in your areas of shadow, and then use a tissue to blend it, this will soften your pencil crayon lines.
Step Eght: Repeat the pastel shaving technique with white in the centers of your couch cushions, to create areas of light reflection. Blend with a tissue.
Step Nine: Use a white gel pen to create sharper areas of reflection on edges of the sofa that would catch the light.
And Voila! You've got a beautifully colored sofa!
I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial! Let me know if you'd be interested in learning how to color other things, like drapery, hardwood, etc! :)
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11 comments:

Raiana S @ lifeSTYLE said...[Reply]

Looks great!! You are doing such an awesome job on your renderings! I miss school :( I would totally love to see more tutorials

Raiana xo
lifeSTYLE

Our French Inspired Home said...[Reply]

I agree with the first comment. You should start a tutorial series. -Tonya

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...[Reply]

How cool is that?? You did a beautiful job. I love all I learn from your schooling :)

srldesign said...[Reply]

How fun! I can't wait to do this in school, definitely a process, but worth the outcome! :)

Stephanie @ Shades of Color Art said...[Reply]

Wow Tiffany good job! I remember when I took rendering class. You need a lot of time, practice and dedication. But the results are always awesome. :)

Anonymous said...[Reply]

How fun. Great job & very interesting. Thanks a bunch.

Elisa of Fancy Free Me said...[Reply]

Bravo! You did a great job! I learned a different way and I like your technique so much better.

Veronica Lee Burns said...[Reply]

nice tutorial!

Megan@TwoDelighted said...[Reply]

You are such an artist! Amazing.

Unknown said...[Reply]

PERFECT! Way to go, seeeeee you're learning mad skills, I love this. It really isn't so easy, is it.
Keep up the great work.
xo Nancy
powellbrowerhome.com

Michaela said...[Reply]

Looks so good! Prismas are hard at first!! But you are already pro :)