One 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.

Elevate your Art with Watercolour Backgrounds

Backgrounds 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.

Watercolour Techniques, MotivationalLouise De Masi20 February 2024Benefits, Technical Guides, Tutorial, Beginner TipsComment

11 Easy Watercolour Painting Ideas for Beginners

Diving 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.

The Magic of Daily Doodles: Why Painting Every Day Can Transform Your Art

Let'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.

Motivational, Watercolour ProjectsLouise De Masi13 February 2024Tutorial, Daily Practice Comments

How to Stretch Watercolour Paper

Unstretched 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.

Substituting Paint Colours: Navigating Different Brands with Ease

Before 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.

Affordable Watercolour Brushes - Jackson's Studio Synthetic

Synthetic 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.

Painting Watercolour for Beginners: 5 Frequently Asked Questions

It'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.

Watercolour for Beginners: Basic Brush Strokes to Practise

Before you start practicing there are several factors that can affect the outcome and quality of your brush strokes in watercolour painting.

Be aware of how much water you have mixed into your paint mixture. Thicker paint may result in more textured strokes, while thinner paint creates smoother, more translucent effects. When you are practicing brush strokes like those demonstrated in this blog post, you want the paint brush to glide over the paper so your paint mixture needs to be fluid and not too thick.

Watercolour TechniquesLouise De Masi15 January 2024Techniques, Technical Guides, Tutorial, Beginner Tips, Daily PracticeComment

Mastering Water Control in Watercolour Painting: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the amount of water on your brush and its interplay with the paper is vital. Watercolour techniques like dry-on-dry, wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, and dry-on-wet are not just techniques; they are the essence of watercolour painting. Each watercolour method allows for a different expression of water and pigment, and mastering these can elevate your art.

Many beginners may not use enough water on their paper. The brush should glide effortlessly over the paper for most techniques, except for dry brushing. Adjusting the water level in the paint mixture or in your brush, can help achieve the right flow.

Top Tips for Using Masking Fluid

When it comes to applying masking fluid, your imagination is the limit. You can use synthetic brushes, ruling pens, silicone brushes, toothbrushes for splattering effects, sponges, bamboo quills and even fountain pens. Each tool brings its own unique magic to the paper.

Watercolour Techniques, Art SuppliesLouise De Masi22 December 2023Supplies, Beginner Tips Comments

A Simplified Painting from a Detailed Subject

When I paint, I don't want to replicate the photo, I want to create an original piece of art.

There's a lot of information in my reference photo. The background is really busy and the Cockatoo has a lot of feather detail so I recognised the need to simplify to achieve a successful painting.

The photograph created the initial spark for the painting but it is merely a starting point to help convey the essence of the scene.

4 Characteristics of Watercolour Paints

Opacity is influenced by the degree of dilution in watercolour paints. Water is used for diluting watercolour paint, and the extent of dilution directly impacts the tonal value of the paint colour. It's worth noting that transparent pigments, when applied to the paper at their full intensity (with minimal water added), can appear opaque. On the other hand, when water is used to thin down opaque pigments, they can show a more transparent quality.

How to Paint Lost and Found Edges in Watercolour

I refer to a lost edge as an edge that is absent. A lost edge is painted by allowing the adjacent colours or values to blend or bleed into one another. In the Leucadendron painting below I have obscured the edges of some of the bracts and leaves by making the background colour the same colour as the subject.

Watercolour Techniques, Watercolour ProjectsLouise De Masi23 November 2023Techniques, Tutorial, Beginner TipsComment

How Do You Mix Black Watercolour Paint?

The pre-mixed blacks appear a bit dull and uninspiring compared to the black I mixed myself. There's just something about the personally mixed hue that adds a touch of life to it. It's subtle, but it makes a difference.

When you mix blacks you can also adjust the temperature of the colour which will add some life to your paintings. Because you are mixing colours together, you are in control of the ratios. If you want a cool black, mix more of the cool colour you are using. If you want a warm black use a bit more of the warm colour you are mixing with.

The Benefits of Using a Limited Colour Palette

The goal of using a limited palette is to achieve color harmony, simplify the decision-making process, and gain better control over the interaction of colors in a painting. You use a limited palette to create balanced, cohesive, and visually pleasing paintings.

It's important to note that a limited palette is not 'limiting'. Hazel Soan emphasises that working with a limited palette doesn't confine your creativity; instead, it sets you free. It empowers you to paint fearlessly, secure in the knowledge that your colors will harmonise effortlessly.

Ampersand Aquabord Panels for Watercolour

Painting on Aquabord offers a unique experience compared to traditional watercolour paper. Watercolour paper encourages exploration and experimentation, striking a delicate balance between control and spontaneity. The paint dances over the wet paper, producing surprising and delightful effects.

However, painting on Aquabord requires a distinct and different approach. The clay surface is absorbent and it doesn't stay wet for long. When I use it, I have to change my normal painting method.

How to simplify a reference photo to make a line drawing for a painting.

When creating drawings for watercolour paintings, you need to select and include essential information while omitting unnecessary details. Planning plays a crucial role in guiding these decisions it serves as a roadmap, allowing you to make informed decisions about what to emphasise in your line drawing.

Begin your painting process by carefully choosing your reference material, prioritising clear focal points and well-defined shapes that will translate effectively into your drawing.

Watercolour Tips

Watercolour tips and techniques to help you improve your painting skills.