Paint a teacup in gouache! First, collect inspiration including teacups that speak to you for their shape, handle or patterns. Then sketch, paint and add pattern!

Remember that this is just my process. Feel free to steal the bits you like and ignore the rest. If you work better painting without sketching, or you want to use a pen instead of paint to make your details, DO IT. Make my process your own!
For inspiration, collect reference photos of teacups with elements you love. I like to pick a variety of cup shapes, funky handles, and patterns so that when I'm sketching and painting I can steal from them all to make something that is truly mine. I love to mix and match patterns, shapes, saucers, and colours.
Sketch your teacup! I like to use pencil crayon or erasable coloured pencils when I sketch because they don't smudge and they add texture to the finished piece. Pay attention to the negative (white) space around complicated elements (like the rim and handle of the teacup).
Choose your colours. I like to use swatches to envision how the colours in my finished piece will coordinate. If you are feeling stuck, paint thumbnails in your sketchbook to test what works.
Paint! I always start by painting the teacup itself. Then I add the dark line around the rim of the saucer, then fill in the background. My last step is to add some dry, chalky lines to define the shape of my teacup.
Add the pattern. Take elements from different images, and interpret them to suit how you like to paint.
Show off your work! Upload your project to Skillshare, or share on social media! (If you are sharing on Instagram, tag me @AlannaCartierIllustration or use the hashtag #AlannaTeaches)

RESOURCES:

Want to digitize your painting and you don't know where to start? I recommend Peggy Dean's 4 Ways to Digitize Your Watercolours.

Thinking about turning your teacup into a series or collection? Discover the Power of Series in Margarita Bourkova's Art Hacks To Overcome Creative Block.

Ready to take your art to the next level? Learn about the principals of design, how to find your style and all the basics to make great ART in Dylan M.'s Leveling Up Your Art Game.

Jennie De Mello e Souza

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