How to watercolor with different watercolor techniques
Posted by Susie in How to Watercolor on April 2, 2011
There are several different techniques that are used only in the watercolor medium and How to watercolor will enable you to learn all of these. Here are the five most basic of watercolor techniques that any How to watercolor beginner must learn of before they move on to other ones.
- Washes : The basic wash consists of a flat wash which is nothing but first wetting the region on paper and then covering it up with the wash. Then, with the right amounts of pigment you can fill in the details. Once this is done the wash should be allowed to dry completely. This is the most common feature in How to watercolor.
- Glazing: this is when the same method as the wash is followed but a thin transparent pigment is applied once the wash dries. This is a good way to adjust the color and tone of the wash. You might apply these in several layers but ensure that each of the layers is dry before you apply the next coat.
- Wet in wet: this is when you apply the pigment to wet paper. This technique can be used over an already used basic wash but keep in mind that it should be completely dry before you apply it. The wet in wet technique brings about a subtle background to the painting.
- Dry brush: as the name suggests is the opposite of wet in wet. This is used with a dry brush and the pigment, very, little water and it is dragged over a bone dry paper. The marks that you get are clear and with firm lines to them. This technique can be used to highlight the object of interest in the painting.
- Lifting off: There are some colors that will be taught in How to watercolor that are just right for this technique. There are a few colors that can be dissolved and then lifted off the dried paper. The how to watercolor lessons will teach you this technique as it is quite easy to master.
How to Watercolor and Take Care of Your Brushes
Posted by Susie in Watercolor for Beginners on July 20, 2010
When learning how to watercolor, the first question on most people’s mind is, which watercolor brushes are best? Plus, of course, how many watercolor brushes does one need? One of the best ones, if not the best, would be a round #8 red sable watercolor-brush. If one cannot afford the red sable brush, the next best alternative would be the best synthetic brush one can find. Two smaller brushes will be needed for adding fine detail work. A 1” inch flat and a #4 round would be ideal for this. Watercolor supplies are easy to find, especially if one knows exactly what to look for. Reading some watercolor tips and learning some watercolor techniques could be a prudent move before one starts painting.
It is very important to 
understand that all brushes must be washed after each watercolor session. Part of learning how to watercolor would also entail learning how to take care of your watercolor art supplies. Washing your brushes is very important and if this is not done every single time they are used, over time they will never work as they were originally intended to. Warm water and soap is all that is needed to maintain the cleanliness of the watercolor brushes. Washing them with the right kind of soap is also very important. The best soaps are those which do not contain any added creams and or oils. A simple soap, perhaps one with no smells and the minimal amount of chemicals would be best. If not sure as to what soaps may be best, special soaps are sold which are specifically for artist’s brushes.
As one learns different watercolor techniques to actually produce your painting, some other techniques will be on how to properly take care of not only your brushes, but other watercolor art supplies too. Watercolor brushes should never be left wet after washing. Once cleaned with non abrasive, plain soap, soft dabs on paper towels should absorb any excess water which is lingering around. Placing some paper towels on top of a dry surface and then leaving the brushes on top to dry, is the final step to taking proper care of your watercolor brushes.
It is highly advisable that if an artist is going to use different types of paints, then it is important to keep the watercolor brushes separate from the rest. Oil painting should not be done with watercolor brushes, and it is a good lesson to learn, to save ending up having to learn the hard way by replacing your equipment. Oil based paints will affect the fine hair used in watercolor brushes, and will dry permanently, which can forever ruin your tools. Keep your watercolor brushes exclusively for use in creating watercolor works of art.
Knowing how-to-use-watercolor brushes and how to care for them are an important part in becoming a great or enthusiastic watercolor artist. One can begin with a starter set of brushes which can be made from good quality materials, although not of the finest hair available. For picking up new watercolor techniques here and there, you can extend the versatility of your brushes by doing some searches online. Now that you know how to take care of your watercolor brushes, you can create plenty of art, knowing that your watercolor art supplies will last.
Understanding the Basics of How to Watercolor
Posted by Susie in How to use Watercolor on July 16, 2010
Knowing how to use watercolors to express your inner creativity can be a wonderful way to release emotions and energy. Watercolor painting is one of the most accessible forms of conventional art, and it is something which can be practiced within the privacy of your own home, or shared with others in the environment of an art class. Not only is watercolor painting about making creative statements on the paper, it is a good way to tune into your inner harmony, by relaxing and letting your hand paint the emotions which you are feeling inside. It is often seen as a very good outlet for focusing your mind, such is the therapeutic calmness of watercolor techniques.
It is easy to picture people sit in an open field, painting the horizon on their paper, or relaxing by the window overlooking the ocean, or perhaps a forest. A lot of inspiration for painting comes from nature, and this is a wonderful way of learning how to use watercolors. But inspiration can of course come from anywhere. It is a good idea to always carry around a sketch book with you, so if anything catches your eye, such as how the sunlight falls on a patch of flowers in the corner of the yard, or even if you have a thought in your head which you would like to try and convey, then you can sketch it out roughly. These ideas can then be elaborated upon at a later date with the watercolor techniques which you have at your disposal.
The full expression of knowing how to use watercolor, will naturally come with the development of skills. The control of the brush, as well as a being well-equipped with watercolor supplies, will be the starting points. The main watercolor technique to learn first is that of the Wash. By using your wider brush to cover a big area evenly, such as a sky or a field, will provide you with a good base for the rest of your painting. This skill may not be as easy as it sounds, for painting flat will take some new brush control. Once you do have the basics of that down, you can then start adding subtle techniques to the Wash, such as the Graded Wash and the Glazed Wash.
After that will come the fine tuning skills of how to add more detail into your painting. This will be done through a wide variety of brushes which are available for specifically making watercolor techniques easier. You will want to learn how to add the very fine lines of detail, as well as adding a multitude of textures to your piece of art. When wanting to know how to watercolor try to make your own interpretation of a piece of art which you like, then you will need to try a wide range of skills. By taking watercolor classes, whether they are lessons at home from a book or a DVD, or whether they are in a class, you will never stop learning how to watercolor, and therefore your watercolor techniques should serve you well for a very long time.
Tips on How to Watercolor
Posted by Susie in Watercolor for Beginners on July 15, 2010
Discovering some good watercolor tips can help you to find your feet in the wonderful world of watercolor painting. There are more elements involved with the art than simply brushes, paint and paper, as the options for each are immense in themselves, and all will have a great deal of effect upon the outcome of your painting. From the pigments you choose, to the quality of the paper, it is good to learn and understand how the different variables come together to form a painting. Starting off as a beginner in watercolor painting may seem daunting, but it is something which should be experienced with joy. After the desire has set in to paint, you will need some watercolor supplies.
When it comes to mixing colors, many of the cheaper paints will not be as bold, and they may be sold as hues of colors. Before purchasing any of these cheaper items, ask yourself why it may look as if you are getting more for your money, and then consider that most hues and shades can actually be concocted and mixed from a very basic palette. It may not be necessary to purchase them just because there is quantity over quality. Weigh up the options of whether spending a little extra on a few quality paints will be better for your projects. Remember never to leave any paint to dry on your brushes and to clean them regularly as well as drying them out properly.
If your budget does not stretch far enough to purchase a good, high end ceramic palette, then you can look around the home for cheaper alternatives. Working your way up to owning the best watercolor supplies will naturally be the ideal thing to do, but along your journey of discovering the art, find ways and means to express yourself without breaking the bank. Ice trays, white plates, plastic pill boxes or the Styrofoam containers from food products will also serve a purpose as palettes. Most of these will be one time use only, especially if the surfaces start to stain.
Check the balance of brush when you are looking around in your watercolor art supplies store. Find ones that feel comfortable to you, and do not just judge things on price. You have to be comfortable with the tools you are using, so that you can allow your creativity to flow without interruptions. Check how different papers react to the paints you are using. Papers vary a lot in weight and absorbency, therefore working with them will produce different results. Experiment and see which suits your style. Some cheaper papers may give you a unique effect that you can use and explore further.
Learn as much as you can from people around you, as well as your peers. By learning to how to use watercolor techniques to create your own pictures, you will no doubt come across artists who you take to your creative heart as favorites for inspiration. It is good to understand what motivated them, what techniques they used, and how they communicated so well through color. That way you will be able to practice and emulate them, learning new skills along the way to further your own painting individuality. Books, the internet and local art classes are a great way to learn new hints and tips which will expand your own repertoire of watercolor techniques.
How to Watercolor
Posted by Susie in Watercolor for Beginners on July 15, 2010
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Who am I?
Hey and welcome to my how to watercolor website. I am Susie and I hope that all the information i am sharing with you will guide you to making beautiful watercolor paintings. I have collected quite some knowledge over the years during all my painting sessions and I will share all of it with you so don't miss out.
