Simple Grass

There are many simple ways to make grass.

Example 1: If you have a cat’s tongue brush (also called an oval wash or pointed oval), you can use the brush to both fill in the grassy space and pull down a slim point into a wide base = “grass strokes” leaving a nice grass edge along the top. You can also use that fine tip to pull up fine grass blades where needed.

If you use a slightly dry brush you can use the edge of the brush to swipe and lift up to create fine strands of grass.

Example 2: If you use a large and a small round brush… take the large brush and create an area of grass using plenty of water and pigment.

While that’s still wet take the small brush and pull up blades of grass either with the brush end or with the back end of the brush. The wood will leave darker grooves in the paper while the brush leaves clean strokes so its a matter of the look you’re wanting to creating.

Example 3: If you have some large brushes use them to create a basic grass foundation then let that fully dry. Here I’m using a dagger brush to pull down some grass shapes. The dagger brush leaves very elegant grass blades and is great by itself.

As with any of the grass styles so far, you can use a calligraphy pen to add fine intentional grass blades. Take a large round brush loaded with paint in your nondominant hand. Then use that to swipe across the calligraphy pen to load it as you use it to create your detail.

This method works nearly as well as dipping the nib in an ink well and opens the calligraphy pen up to being a watercolor tool for detailing grass, branches, small saplings or distant trees.