Category: Graphite Lessons

Mastering Centaur Drawing in Graphite, Alcohol Markers & Watercolor

3/4/2024

Happy March!! I'm feeling SPRING in the air, and hope YOU are too!!

This month in the Celtic Collective we are studying mythical centaurs, and can't wait for you to try these FOUR new lessons with us :)

If you've never drawn a centaur before, don't stress, because we guide you every step of the way as we combine a human torso and horse body.

If it makes you feel more comfortable, go ahead and draw your centaurs on a seperate sheet of scrap paper where you can erase till you're happy, and not ruin a sheet of expensive watercolor or marker paper. Then you can either transfer your drawing with transfer paper, or use a lightboard to trace your finished drawing onto watercolor or marker paper!

You can ALSO always feel free to trace the PDF of our finished pieces if you'd rather not focus on the drawing portion of the lesson and prefer to jump right into the coloring part.

Let's jump in!!

✨Studly Centaur in Graphite with Karen✨

*All product links for Karen are affiliate & for U.S. residents only.*

What's more fun than starting with a HOT centaur project?! LOL.

You're welcome!!

For this project, I initially thought I might watercolor him, but then loved the way he looked in graphite so much, I decided to keep him that way! If you feel like you want to watcolor yours, go ahead!

Just make sure you're working on watercolor paper.

Supplies

As always, feel free to use whatever you have and love most.

Here's what I used for this project...

0.5 from my Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil Set:
https://amzn.to/2GFzZlf

0.3 from this (affordable) set:
https://amzn.to/3OW5YBL

Fabriano Hot Press 11" x 14" https://amzn.to/3Ysrp0f

Blackwing Matte pencils https://amzn.to/45mgirV

Blending Stumps https://amzn.to/450KGID

Vanish Eraser 3 pack https://amzn.to/3DJp8EF

Tombow Mono Eraser https://amzn.to/3Ov36ds

🧚Ready to start this 1.5-hour lesson? Let's do it!

✨Sexy Centaur in Watercolor with Karen✨

I absolutely LOVED making this project!!

Isn't she majestic?! I hope you love working on her as much as I did!

I kept myself to a limited watercolor palette, using only the Prima Woodlands set, and left you not one, but FIVE reference images in the classroom to help you along :)

If you're new to watercolor, feel free to dive in and follow me because everything is step-by-step.

If you feel like you could benefit from an intro or refresher to watercolor first - the Watercolor Basics lesson is a great place to start in your practice journal. (This is also a fab warm-up if you haven't done this lesson before and want to experiment with a variety of techniques).

Supplies

0.5 from Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil Set
https://amzn.to/2GFzZlf

Fabriano Cold Press 11" x 14" https://amzn.to/45oeAql
I used 18x24," but use the size YOU feel the most comfortable with!!

Vanish Eraser 3 pack https://amzn.to/3DJp8EF

Prima Woodlands Watercolor Set https://amzn.to/3SHXRum

Polina Bright Watercolor Brushes Round numbers 1, 2 and 3 https://www.polinabright.com/karencampbell and use coupon code KARENCAMPBELL to save 10% off your order

Pentel Arts Sign Pen (in brown) w/ Micro Brush https://amzn.to/3JhAjZ2

Colored pencils by Prismacolor that match the watercolor colors
Copic white for highlights https://amzn.to/3DO2r23

Transfer paper for the Celtic Cross: https://amzn.to/483zpbh

🧚Wanna do this 2.5-Hour Lesson? Heck ya, you do!!

✨Cute Baby Centaur in Alcohol Markers with Lucy✨

How cute is this little guy?!

I LOVE everything about him from his little worried expression to the gorgeous, rainbow color scheme Lucy created!!

Lucy used alcohol markers for this project, but feel free to go your own way and do watercolor or whatever else floats your boat.

If you're new to alcohol markers and feel like you might benefit from an intro or refresher to markers, this simple floral lesson is a great warmup of how it FEELS to work with alcohol markers before jumping into a more in-depth project :)

Supplies

Marker paper (Lucy loves Strathmore marker paper)

Lucy first sketched her drawing out on scrap paper using a blackwing, then transferred it to the marker paper using a lightbox and cool-erase pencils

Ohuhu markers in the following colors: E090, E490, R18, R27, R26, YR148, YR209, V020, V160, P4, BG3, BG9, G120, Y1, YR070, B050, P3, V250, B350, R1, G340

Black fineliner pen

White gel pen

Colo-erase pencil in brown & peach

Lightbox for tracing (you don't need this if you are drawing directly on you marker paper!)

🧚Ready to start this 1.5-hour cutie?! Me too!!!

✨Woodland Watercolor Centaur with Lucy✨

I love this one toooooo!!

From the mighty warrior centaur to the loose background and touches of gold - Lucy's watercoloring is gorgeous as always!!

There are three references waiting for you in the classroom to help you along with this project.

Supplies

Watercolor paper 300gsm (any brand will do!)

Colored pencils or cool-erase pencils in blues or greens (perfect for sketching out watercolor designs!)

Fineliner pen in black (waterproof)

White gel pen

Metallic watercolours (I use the Finetec brand but any brand will do - or even metallic gouache or ink)

Watercolors in the following colours (again - you can substitute for what you already have. Do not feel you need to go and buy these exact colors):
- Winsor & Newton Naples yellow, Alizarin Crimson
- Daniel Smith Burnt Yellow Ochre
- Daniel Smith Apatite Genuine
- Daniel Smith Amazonite Genuine
- Daniel Smith Undersea Green
- Daniel Smith Prussian Green
- Daniel Smith Cascade Green
- Windsor & Newton Neutral Tint
- Daniel Smith Indigo

🧚Ready to play this amazing hour & 10 minute lesson? Me too!!!

Missed the March 8th Angry Baby Unicorn Art Along?

No problem!! You can have JUST AS MUCH FUN with the replay!!

What Else is Comin' Up This Month?

We have TWO Members-Only Podcast art alongs this month because last month's needed to be rescheduled to March 8th.

I can't wait to see you again, Thursday, March 21st!

Stay tuned to your inbox for details on time & link to join :)

Love These Centaur Lessons and Want More?

Horses are such majestic creatures. If you loved the centaur lessons and are looking for more similar lessons inside the Celtic Collective, check out our *5 UNICORN Lessons* in graphite, on toned paper, in alcohol markers, with gouache, and watercolor!!