Welcome to my watercolour painting tips page! You've stumbled upon my secret lair where I share my top-secret tips for mastering the art of watercolour. Just kidding, it's not a secret lair, but it is the perfect place for you to brush up on your painting skills (pun intended). As a professional watercolour artist, I'll be sharing all the juicy details on how to create stunning watercolour masterpieces. So whether you are a beginner or a seasoned watercolour artist, go and grab a cup of tea, your brushes and your paints, and let's create some magic together!
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Once our paintings are complete, we might refine the presentation by carefully trimming the edges, ensuring each stroke and splash is framed perfectly, enhancing the artwork’s visual appeal. Additionally, when our pieces are mounted for painting or display, cutting becomes essential to gently free them from their boards.
This meticulous attention to detail in paper cutting ensures our watercolour artworks are showcased with precision, embodying the true essence of our artistic intent.
Read MoreIn my studio, surrounded by brushes, pigments, painting materials and light that inspires my work, the choice of paper is paramount. The watercolour paper surface and the used sizing will greatly affect the outcome. I've found that artist-quality papers, like Arches, offer a balance that complements the lifting technique beautifully.
Read MoreThe way you organise your workspace can significantly impact your artistic flow, much like a well-prepared table sets the scene for a meal. Imagine your workspace as a canvas, where each element — from palettes to brushes, from water jars to the paper itself — is positioned not merely by necessity, but with an intuitive grace.
Read MoreIn the realm of watercolour, the alchemy between artist and artist's supplies transcends the physical; it becomes a dialogue, a shared journey towards creation. Each tool and medium in my studio has been chosen not just for its quality, but for the unique voice it brings to this conversation. Let me share with you the essence of these relationships, the soul behind each choice, and the indispensable role these art supplies play in my art.
Read MoreBefore you start painting, every artist’s journey begins with the first step: selecting your tools and getting familiar with all the materials you need. Watercolour paints come in pans and tubes, each with its unique charm. Watercolour brushes, in their myriad shapes and sizes, are your loyal companions, and watercolour paper—your canvas—awaits with its textures and weights. There is cold press paper, hot press paper, paper, that lies in between... Let's not forget the supporting cast: watercolour palette, masking fluid, and sponges.
Read MoreEmbarking on a daily doodling journey isn’t about producing gallery pieces daily. Making art is not the goal here. Rather, it's about embracing the process, the repetition, and the insights gained with every drop of paint. It's about becoming one with your tools and materials, understanding the nuances of water and pigment, and how they interact on the canvas of your paper.
Read MoreDive into the splashy, unpredictable world of watercolour with a word list that's more colourful than my palette after a day's work. Think of this not just as a list, but as your trusty sidekick in the art studio, ready to decode the mysterious language of watercolours. From the gravity-defying "wet on wet" technique to the rebellious "back runs" that refuse to stay put, these terms are the secret handshake of the watercolour society.
Read MoreImagine water as the dance partner in your watercolour tango. Like any good partner, water can lead you to create fluid, dynamic movements on the paper. However, if not in sync, it can step on your toes, causing washes to bleed uncontrollably or colours to become dull. Very little water will result in dry brush like strokes, whereas too much water will flood your paper and make the colour hard to handle.
Read MoreWorking as a full-time artist leaves me with hardly any time for other activities, which is why my rose garden has become a jungle of weeds 😬. The few roses that survive are struggling to find space to breathe among all the overgrowth. Despite this, my 'Heaven Scent' rose miraculously managed to produce this little gem.
I cut it free from the weeds that were smothering it and left it in a vase to open slightly before I painted it.
Read MoreSynthetic brushes are not only good for watercolour painting; they are an excellent choice for many artists. Their durability, versatility, and ethical production make them suitable for a wide range of watercolour techniques, from broad washes to fine details.
Whether you’re a beginner looking for a cost-effective way to start painting or a professional seeking reliable tools, synthetic brushes offer quality and performance that can meet—and even exceed—your painting needs.
Read MoreOne thing most watercolour artists try to avoid is making mud when they mix colours.
Muddy colours appear lifeless or lacking in vibrancy. To avoid making dull colours it's best to use transparent colours when you mix paint.
Opaque pigments, because they are heavier and denser, tend to become dull and lifeless when you mix with them, particularly when you mix two or more opaque pigments together. If you need to mix with an opaque pigment - pair it with a transparent pigment to avoid a thick and heavy mixture.
Read MoreBackgrounds in art fill the critical space between the subject and the frame, turning empty canvases into resonant scenes brimming with life. They define the positive (subject) and negative (space around the subject) spaces, adding layers of depth and context. A background can support the main subject with a contrasting or complementary backdrop or even steal the spotlight, as Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night” beautifully illustrates. They're not just settings; they're expressions, setting the mood, suggesting settings, and influencing the viewer's emotional response.
Read MoreDiving into the world of watercolor painting can be both exhilarating and a bit daunting for beginners. With its beautiful washes and vibrant hues, watercolor art offers a unique medium to express creativity. However, the thought of mastering this fluid form of painting might seem overwhelming at first.
Read MoreLet's face it, we're all busier than a set of watercolor brushes at a plein air festival. Finding time to paint can feel like trying to squeeze another color onto an already crowded palette. But here's the kicker: you don't need to carve out a massive chunk of your day. Setting a specific time for your art, be it early morning or late evening, creates a sacred ritual. It's like having a coffee date with your creativity, and trust me, your muse appreciates punctuality.
Read MoreUnstretched paper naturally buckles when water and wet paint are applied, as the paper's fibres expand, creating an uneven surface that presents challenges during painting. This buckling can result in unexpected streaks, blooms, and undesirable edges, ultimately compromising the intended effect of the artwork. As well as that, the buckled paper may dry unevenly, which not only effects the painting process but also the presentation of the finished painting. Techniques like wet-on-wet or gradients, which rely on precise control over the paper's moisture, become difficult to execute effectively when the paper is not properly flattened.
Read MoreBefore diving into specific colour substitutions, it's crucial to understand colour properties: hue, value, and saturation. These are universal, regardless of the brand. Hue refers to the colour itself, value to its lightness or darkness, and saturation to its intensity. When looking for a substitute, aim for a match in these three properties, and you'll be close to the original colour.
Read MoreSynthetic brushes are made from synthetic fibres such as nylon, Taklon, or a blend of synthetic materials. They are vegan and cruelty-free, appealing to those who prefer not to use brushes made from natural hair. They may not hold water as well as natural hair brushes but with advancements in brush technology, synthetic brushes now have improved water retention. They are generally more affordable than natural hair brushes, so if you are a beginner or you are on a budget, synthetic brushes are a good choice.
Read MoreIt's important to store your watercolour brushes well to maintain their shape, preserve the bristles, and extend their lifespan.
I used to store my brushes upright in containers but when we built my studio I included some narrow drawers to be built into the cabinetry.
I now store my brushes in the drawers. I bought some PVC multi purpose cupboard protector rolls and I cut them to fit inside the drawers. The liner stops the brushes from rolling around when I open and shut the drawers.
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