Introduction to Watercolor Techniques
Assigned: 5/8
Some of you are going to love watercolor and some of you will likely find it frustrating. The strange thing is, the reasons to love it or hate it are probably the same. You all are in the process of evolving and developing your personal style and finding your unique preferences. Some f you will start off loving watercolor and potentially grow away from it, others of you may gravitate toward watercolor later on in your painting experiences. All I am asking of you now is to give it a chance. Be patient with it and take some time to learn the qualities of the medium. It can be a tricky process, this thing called watercolor painting, but it can also do some amazing things!!!!
CHECK OUT THE TIPS AND TRICKS PAGE FOR A LINK TO SEVERAL HELPFUL TUTORIALS
CHECK OUT THE TIPS AND TRICKS PAGE FOR A LINK TO SEVERAL HELPFUL TUTORIALS
To begin your journey, let us start with 12 small experiments to get you started:
YOUR JOB: Grab and label 12 small blocks of paper with your name and the # of the technique you are experimenting with.
Do one experiment in each block.
1. Use a watercolor wash to lay down some areas of color. While it is still wet, go into the wash with a watercolor pencil.
2. Draw with charcoal. Using clean water and a brush, go into the charcoal and blend to make value changes.
3. Use a regular pencil or graphite stick to add lines to a watercolor wash you have already laid down.
4. Use bright colors of crayons and/or oil pastels. Overlap some colors. Paint over and into your drawing with watercolor wash. Use something pointed and scrape back into the waxy surface for another effect.
5. Use colored pencil and transparent and opaque paint. The pencil can add detail and texture. The opaque paint will give heavier coverage and darker values.
6. Incise your paper with a sharp tool. Add a watercolor wash/washes.
7. Lay on a layered wash. While still wet, crumple a piece of plastic wrap and lay it on the wash. Do NOT disturb until dry.
8. Lay on a layered wash of deep colors. Sprinkle salt onto the wash. Do NOT disturb until dry. (additional experiment=Salt - add layers of salt over small areas gradually add drops of watercolor to help dissolve the salt, which was just put down. Add more salt (more in the middle and less along the edges). Add more drops of water. Continue until there is a small mountain of salt. When dry this 3d image will remain in place (as long as its not too high)
9. Lay on streaks or lines of rubber cement. Let dry. Once dry paint over it with watercolor washes and color blends. Once that is dry, rub away the rubber cement to reveal the white paper left behind.
10. Lay on a layered wash of deep colors. Use a straw to drop a few drops of alcohol into it while it is still wet.
11. Paint some deep colors. Use the edge of a credit card or hard plastic to scrape and push the paint away.
12. Toothbrush (or thick bristled brush) - this is a fun one. Dip the brush into various colors and 'spritz' the bristles onto the page. Good with a 'mask' to create rock shapes, too. Try with stencils – great for textural effects.
YOUR JOB: Grab and label 12 small blocks of paper with your name and the # of the technique you are experimenting with.
Do one experiment in each block.
1. Use a watercolor wash to lay down some areas of color. While it is still wet, go into the wash with a watercolor pencil.
2. Draw with charcoal. Using clean water and a brush, go into the charcoal and blend to make value changes.
3. Use a regular pencil or graphite stick to add lines to a watercolor wash you have already laid down.
4. Use bright colors of crayons and/or oil pastels. Overlap some colors. Paint over and into your drawing with watercolor wash. Use something pointed and scrape back into the waxy surface for another effect.
5. Use colored pencil and transparent and opaque paint. The pencil can add detail and texture. The opaque paint will give heavier coverage and darker values.
6. Incise your paper with a sharp tool. Add a watercolor wash/washes.
7. Lay on a layered wash. While still wet, crumple a piece of plastic wrap and lay it on the wash. Do NOT disturb until dry.
8. Lay on a layered wash of deep colors. Sprinkle salt onto the wash. Do NOT disturb until dry. (additional experiment=Salt - add layers of salt over small areas gradually add drops of watercolor to help dissolve the salt, which was just put down. Add more salt (more in the middle and less along the edges). Add more drops of water. Continue until there is a small mountain of salt. When dry this 3d image will remain in place (as long as its not too high)
9. Lay on streaks or lines of rubber cement. Let dry. Once dry paint over it with watercolor washes and color blends. Once that is dry, rub away the rubber cement to reveal the white paper left behind.
10. Lay on a layered wash of deep colors. Use a straw to drop a few drops of alcohol into it while it is still wet.
11. Paint some deep colors. Use the edge of a credit card or hard plastic to scrape and push the paint away.
12. Toothbrush (or thick bristled brush) - this is a fun one. Dip the brush into various colors and 'spritz' the bristles onto the page. Good with a 'mask' to create rock shapes, too. Try with stencils – great for textural effects.