Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
For most of my watercolor tutorials, you have the option of downloading a free PDF with the outline for the painting. After printing it out, you can trace it, and then transfer it to watercolor paper. Or you can print it out directly onto watercolor paper. In this blog post, you will learn three methods for transferring the drawing.
Transferring the line art using tracing paper
The bird I have drawn for this tutorial is facing left. However, the printable that you can download is facing right. Let’s see how this works.
In the picture underneath, I have printed out the PDF with the line art
(It’s my playful interpretation of an elegant heron). The bird underneath is facing the opposite direction, but that’s the correct direction.
These are my tools for tracing: A soft 2B pencil, a sharp HB push-point pencil, and an eraser. Add to this an A4 tracing paper sheet.
I have fastened the tracing paper with paper clips, one for each corner. Keeping the tracing paper from sliding is essential. Otherwise, it will move, and you can’t precisely trace the lines. You can also use cello tape.
Trace the outline with a soft pencil, 2B or softer.
Turn the tracing so that you flip your drawing facing down.
Fasten the tracing paper onto a sheet of watercolor paper with your drawing facing down. The bird is facing left as in the original picture.
Trace the outline again, this time with an HB push-point pencil, or a regular hard pencil. A sharp point is what matters. Graphite from your soft pencil drawing transfers onto the watercolor paper.
The drawing has been transferred to watercolor paper.
Transferring the outline with carbon paper
Using carbon paper, you can transfer the drawing in one step. Some carbon may smudge onto your watercolor paper, but you can simply erase it.
Place in the following order: Watercolor paper, carbon paper, printout with the linework. Trace the drawing with a sharp pencil, and it transfers to your watercolor paper.
Using a LED light tracing pad to transfer a drawing
A LED light tracing pad is low-cost and may be worth the investment. It is thin, lightweight, and attaches to your computer with a USB cord.
When we moved from Norway to Japan, I brought a big, chunky light table. In my small studio, there is no space, so I went back to using tracing paper. Until one day, my husband discovered a LED light tracing pad. It is so easy to use and saves a lot of time.
Printing the outline onto watercolor paper
You can also print the PDF line drawing directly onto watercolor paper. Either a laser printer or an inkjet printer with waterproof ink will do. If your printer has a setting for heavy paper, you can print on standard 300g watercolor paper. Otherwise, use lighter paper.
You can download this line drawing for free in One Tree Art Club. You will find many free outlines there.
Whichever method you choose, it will do the job. Happy painting to you!
