How to Paint with Watercolours

Introduction to Watercolor Painting

Watercolour painting can be a delightful and forgiving medium for beginners. Unlike oils or acrylics, watercolours offer a transparency and luminosity that's hard to achieve with other paints.

To start, you'll need basic supplies: watercolour paper (preferably 100% cotton for better absorption), watercolour paints (tubes or pans), brushes (round and flat in various sizes), a palette for mixing, water containers, and a pencil with an eraser for sketching. Begin by setting up your workspace; ensure you have good lighting and space to let your work dry flat.

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Understanding Your Materials

Before you dive into painting, familiarize yourself with your materials. Watercolour paint comes in tubes or pans; tubes give you more paint for blending, while pans are convenient for beginners.

When choosing brushes, look for ones with good water retention like synthetic or natural sable. Different brushes will give you different effects; a round brush is versatile for details, while a flat brush is great for washes. Your paper is crucial - it should be heavy enough (at least 140lb/300gsm) to handle water without buckling.

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Basic Techniques: Wet-on-Wet and Wet-on-Dry

Start with the wet-on-wet technique, which involves applying paint to a wet paper surface. Wet your paper evenly with a large brush or sponge, then drop colours onto it. The colours will spread and blend naturally, creating soft edges and transitions. This is perfect for backgrounds or skies.

Contrastingly, the wet-on-dry technique involves painting on dry paper for sharper, more controlled edges. This is useful for details or when you want colour separation. Practice both to see how water affects your control over the paint.

Mastering Washes and Layering

A wash is a foundational technique where you cover large areas with a diluted paint mixture. There are flat washes for even colour, graded washes for a transition from dark to light, and variegated washes for multiple colour transitions. To layer, let each wash dry completely before adding another layer.

Watercolour is about building colour; lighter colours should be applied first because once you've put down a darker colour, it's challenging to lighten it. Experiment with layers to understand transparency and opaqueness.

Exploring Brush Techniques

Experiment with different brush strokes to expand your technique repertoire. Try "dry brushing" by using a brush with minimal water for textured effects. "Lifting" involves removing paint with a damp brush or tissue while the paint is still wet to lighten areas or create highlights. "Glazing" is applying a thin, transparent layer of colour over dry paint to alter the underlying colour subtly.

Each of these techniques can dramatically change the look of your painting, so play around to see what effects you enjoy creating.

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Finishing Your Painting

Once your painting is complete, allow it to dry thoroughly. If your paper has buckled, you might want to stretch it beforehand or use a heavier paper next time. Consider adding details with a fine brush or even with ink for crisp lines once everything is dry.

Remember, watercolour painting is as much about letting go as it is about control; embrace the unpredictability. To preserve your work, you can frame it with glass or use a fixative designed for watercolours. Keep learning by observing other works, practicing, and most importantly, enjoying the process.

Image: The Huntsman's Tale by Clare Buchta (from our Gallery)

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