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The Skill Of Watercolors

Admin — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:29:14 +0000

The most rudimentary form of painting with the brushes could be related to watercolor painting, as it is the primary step in the painting field, to get accustomed with the colors and the strokes of the brushes. This form of work is mostly found effective, to a great extent, considering the fact that it allows you to learn the strokes with a paint brush, before proceeding onto more daunting techniques. At the same time you also get the rough idea of mixing the paints, to get the desired effect. On discussing about this art we come across several aspects, which can be debated upon or could be put aside as the shortcomings or benefits of the art.

Watercolor paintings are an easy art, as far as the painting techniques with the paint brushes are concerned. The necessary ingredients required for watercolor painting could be easily available in the market, along with the water that is in free flow in every home. The watercolors are generally watering soluble pigments, which can be easily affordable by the individuals, and the water to dissolve the pigment is available at the workplace and even at home. All this makes the technique of watercolor painting so popular among the younger learners, who seek to get a good grasp on the painting techniques. Even the application of colors and the movement of strokes could be very well mastered, through the watercolor painting. It is much easier process than the others and allows us to feel free to experiment with the colors, as they are within affordable limits.

Although, people say that the watercolor painting technique is a very easy process and saves a lot of money, they forget to consider the after effects of the watercolor painting. There are several disadvantages of maintaining a watercolor painting due to several reasons, like problem with pigmentation, colors being water soluble and few others. You might have noted that watercolor paintings are mostly done on paper, varying between several qualities, which tend to turn yellow after quite a few years. Moreover, they being soluble with water are prone to water damage in the long run, where the entire painting might be ruined. Preservation for a watercolor painting can be really difficult considering these aspects, as you never know when some accidents might lead to contamination of water over the painting, dissolving the paint and ruining it.

Introduction To Watercolor Painting Techniques

Admin — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:12:18 +0000

The flat wash technique is one of the more basic and common of the various techniques. The flat wash technique is usually used when large areas of the canvas need to be covered. You will want to lay out the watercolor wash evenly and uniformly. First you will need to dampen the area of your canvas where you will be applying the watercolor wash. Make certain to have an adequate amount of water and pigment available before your start. If you should have to stop for any reason, it will be difficult to match your layers.. It is better to have more than less available. The angle at which you apply the watercolor wash is important. If the angle is too steep your wash will run down the paper. If the angle is too level, then you won’t have enough movement. Use a large brush for this technique and start your first stroke at the top of the paper. Continue applying the watercolor wash going down the paper, but alternate sides as you move down.

With the dry brush technique, your paper is completely dry. You then apply a fairly dry pigment with very little water to the paper. The dry brush technique should only be used where you want to draw focus or create texture in your painting. It’s always a good idea to use various watercolor brush techniques in a single painting. This results in a more interesting painting. The glazing technique is when you apply a thin transparent color over a completed dry layer of color. This technique creates some very interesting blends of new color. You will need to use a non-staining, transparent color for this watercolor technique. You should use a soft brush and don’t apply that much pressure. Wet in wet is simply applying a wet wash over a wet surface. You start by evenly wetting the paper with a brush or spray bottle. Have a sponge handy to absorb any excess water. You want your paper to be evenly saturated. Then apply your watercolor.

Watercolor Painting Made Easy

Admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:10:11 +0000

Many beginning artists have trouble with one of the small techniques used widely in water painting called the wrist flick. This is the ending position of the brush stroke. Now pivot from your wrist push the brush tip up and away in a “flicking” motion. The last part of the stroke flicks out in a feathery point. Practice several times in each color you have. As you hit each stroke, vary the thickness of the strokes trying to imitate grasses, branches, or even feathers. Along with suggesting grasses, branches, and feathers effortlessly, the Wrist Flick and variants are handy when rendering hair in portraiture or wildlife painting. A little Wrist Flicking can go a long way to finishing off a landscape painting. Too much can do a painting in before you know you’ve gone too far. Masking is one of the most important techniques that you should master as you improve your water paintings skill. Masking fluid is the most common masking agent. It comes in colorless and in colors. Most artists use the colored so they can see where it has been applied. Others say the colored fluid is distracting or can cause them to alter the color of paints they use.

We know that the “white of the paper” is important. It creates the very light in the painting. White can easily get lost and once it is lost, it is hard to get back. Watercolor paints and paper have minds of their own – that quality of “happy accidents” is what makes this medium so much fun! (But also so difficult, some say the hardest, to master.)
A lot of artists will never use masking and others swear by it. Anything goes and whatever works for you to create the painting you want is okay. Experiment with all sorts of masking aids to find what works best for you.

Watercolor Painting For All Ages and Abilities

Admin — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 07:00:57 +0000

Watercolor painting is a free-flowing adventure in color, textures, and form. It is easy when you learn it one step at a time. The art of watercolor painting is rich in traditional techniques and formality. The difficulty in watercolor painting is almost entirely in learning how to anticipate and use the behavior of water, rather than attempting to control or dominate it. A unique quality of watercolor painting is the look obtained when various colors are layered on top of previous colors (after each layer has dried). In rich, mutable, easy-to-mix colors, watercolor painting is perfect for beginners as well as more accomplished artists. A traditional watercolor painting is executed with transparent watercolors with no opaque pigments used and the white of the paper serving as white paint. And today, fine art watercolor painting is a highly respected and much sought after, art form bringing high bids at art auctions around the world

Watercolor is a type of paint made from pigments mixed with a water-soluble binder, such as gum arabic. Watercolor paints can be bought in tubes or pans (small blocks). It is one of the most dynamic mediums available to the artist. Watercolors are great for outdoor painting because of their quick drying nature and ease of use and watercolor painting offers a wide range of varieties and consistencies.

Watercolor techniques have the reputation of being quite demanding, although they are actually no more demanding than those used with other media. In the 17th and 18th centuries, ink, pen and watercolor tints were common mapmaking tools, portable and convenient to use outdoors and in remote locations. At the beginning of the 18th century, the topographical watercolor was primarily used as an objective record of an actual place in an era before photography. It was also a popular choice for landscape painting. Watercolors have moved from mapmaking to the mainstream in the past 300 years. Now, watercolor painting can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

Painting in watercolor is one of the most popular mediums for aspiring artists, yet there are many pitfalls that can snare the beginner. Painting in watercolor is fun when you can find new opportunities for personal discovery, expression, and invention. Painting or drawing while traveling always makes the experience more rewarding, satisfying, and unforgettable. Professional watercolor paper is the basis for getting beautiful watercolor paintings, so remember this when selecting your watercolor paper. The better the paper, the better the painting.

Watercolor is not just for mapmaking anymore. Watercolor painting is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. My first memory of painting is using dime store watercolor paints in a metal tin. Although not the best quality, it introduced me to the watery, transparent color of this type of paint. Later in life, I learned to use these transparent pigments to create works of art. If you are considering getting started in painting, you may want to consider watercolors as your medium of choice.