Black!!

Using black water color not only looks nice but also gives a better understanding of the color gradation! In fact one should start with black and once you gain the expertise of getting correct shades of black, start using other colors...

Nature

Nature Drawing is one of the topics in Elementary Examination. A close study of the lines and veins of leaves is required. The more details you add, more real it looks. The desired natural color is obtained by mixing sap green with either red, brown or cobalt blue (sometimes yellow for young leaves) as required with varying proportions of the two colors. To make the mid rib and venation, the first wash is done with lightest yellowish green [color varies according to the leaves that you are making of course!] and then the color of the leaf is done leaving appropriate gaps.

Poster Colors

Poster colors helped me to cultivate steadiness in my hand. Its an amazing medium of color where whites can give beautiful effects! The paintings below were originally oil paintings on canvas by some artists [i should have remembered the names!] but they can be imitated with poster colors on normal papers. It gives more or less similar effects.

Intermediate

Monochromatic color

Pencil colors

Coloring with pencil colors needs a lot of patience; it certainly pays off!

Oil Pastels

Only in childhood I had used wax crayons and plastic crayons and pastel colors... Never thought Oil Pastels could create  such wonderful effects! I really enjoyed using this medium, its fun and easy to use medium of color, you just need to have proper color sense. If used carefully with correct shading and smudging done it can create a picture as below...