A Vignette With a Cat and a Little Coffee

MAJESTIC CAT

Watercolor - 11x15

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A vignette is a painting designed so it has a painted edge that fades into the white of the paper and uses the paper to create a border around the composition. (Rather than the one painted right up to all four edges of a sheet of paper or frame.) The shape of the edge is part of the composition and is most commonly broken (rough) or oval shaped.

I began this watercolor with wet paper and applied shades of blue and yellow ochre making sure I left areas of white paper at the bottom to create a vignette composition. This is one of my favorite ways to paint in a loose style and take advantage of the pure, white paper. i also sprinkled instant coffee in the wet paint for added texture and interest.