let's ...watercolor, beginners workshop Options

[ElenaM]

We have among us on drawspace a few artists who master watercolor wonderfully and Two names come to mind, Adolfo and Vano. I saw many budding artists too sharing their watercolors in the gallery and because watercolors means painting let's give it a try in this little workshop. I am thinking of some tips and tutorials from our masters and teachers to be shared in this thread but work that you do as a beginner like me, for instance, you can showcase here.
Googling for watercolors resources I came across these links to lessons, tips, tutorials by watercolor artists, demos and articles worth reading.
here they are.

watercolor tips

world of watercolor

watercolors

john lovett

articles

tips

tutorial

YouTube demo

videos

Here is our Dors tutorial on watercolor flowers

Any suggestion that you have for inlcusion of a web resource page, let me Know.

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(this is a web button I created in Paint)

I am waiting for Sarah(hannya), Rotem, Norma, Vicki, Kay, Clara, etc., to join and bring their work, tips, questions.

[ElenaM]

My watercolor supplies dried with no usage for 12 years so I found this kit with $ 6.45 and jumped on it to try my hand at one of the most difficult medium.

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After waching the YouTube demo I tried my own splash of color here.1/2 hour  ut.jpg ( 186.48K ) Number of downloads: 61



As I wasn't fully satisfied with the result I tried my own imagination flower watercolor. Another 1/2 hour

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this ione is called spanish lavender and is in bloom in April-May in my garden. So let's say is long term memory.

The work though that is my composition based on memory and imagination I called "remembering EgypT" and took my One hour, no underpaint.
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This lessons and videos give me confidence to work more from imagination memory, my dream as an artist-in-the-making.

[oliverandjazz]

Elena this is a great thread...oh my..so many nice things going on in the forum..i am all agog with the anticipation of trying them all..

my watercolors are in pencil form..i shall post some work here soon.

i am working now with the cp but plan on breaking out my wc for the trade.

great idea for a thread..

oh and i like the first wc the best it is lovely...while the last is a great imaginative attempt, keep it around to do again as you progress..

[ElenaM]

Thanks Kay; I didn't list my Caran d'Ache watercolor pencils as supplies because I didn't start working with them yet and I know of a great thread with a tutorial for Roses in WP.I might mention it if i find it .You go ahaead and bring us your WP work, sounds great! So what if we have too many new things, this is very good and keeps us busy and young at heart.

[oliverandjazz]

here is an orangatang i did a few months back..
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[ElenaM]

Ok, Kay. I found the tutorial I was talking about it was written about a yera ago by Dors on watercolor pencils for painting roses.I am sure that many of us can benefit from this wonderful lesson.

[Ernest Friedman-...]

I took a 3-hour watercolor course this summer, and I did one painting in class, and one since I've come home; I've been meaning to do more, but never seem to find the time. Both of these are done with "pan" watercolors (i.e., the dry kind in a tray you used as a kid) and a black Lumograph pen.

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This is the one from the class. The instructor was Patricia Bourque; the painting is from a photograph she provided.

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I did this one after I got home; it's my son's first fishing trip. Too much pen, I think, but that's the style she taught in the class.

[ElenaM]

Very colorful work, Ernest. I hope you will find time to do more watercolor here with us.For first works these are just great.
I like her style, Adolfo also uses pen but i love the loose effect of just watercolor.I know that is difficult to master.Thanks for sharing Ernest.

[NVA]

Great Idea, Elena, to google for the sites on watercolor. Thank you !
May I submitt an exercice I've done to have your criticisms ?
An

Attached File(s)

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[ElenaM]

I think your exercise is very good, An. Looks like a loaf of italian bread to me.

[oliverandjazz]

i just love the one of zach mr hill..very bright colors in both..i too like to use ink but i also like the loose color..ack! i love all the styles..i cant seem to choose just one style or medium..

and elena i went last nite to the rose tutorial and shall give it a try when i get some time..sign up has closed in the trade and i have 14 cards to make as well as coloring in my fruit..

i have done the apple and pear but have no good light source to post them..same as my truck i did for the challenge, it would have been nicer if we could see it better..it is rainy and gloomy and i only have energy saving light which is a dingy yellow light..not good for photos..

[oliverandjazz]

Elena, and others..did you know Mr. Hill has a published book?

when i first joined drawspace, i seen his name and it looked so familiar to me..

for a few days i was wondering why i knew that name and why it was so familiar, is he a famous artist? perhaps i had seen some work somewhere? was he on t.v.? perhaps i knew him from there..
then one day i was picking up some books off the table (as i always had to do when my boy lived home) he was studying computer somthing or another and then it hit me..that is where i knew him from..while i had never actually read his book i had picked it up off my table a million times along with others and i guess his name just kinda stuck there..what a surprise to see him here..

[Kaly]

nice thread Elena, and lovely paintings everyone

I only have acrylics and oils at home, but I am going to get some watercolor pencils this week, I have only 3 so far but as soon as I get some more colores I'l try something out

Mr Hill, you mean our Ernest??? no he never told us anything....what's it about do you remember???maybe he can tell us himself

[Ernest Friedman-...]

Mr Hill, you mean our Ernest??? no he never told us anything....what's it about do you remember???maybe he can tell us himself

We had a thread a while ago (maybe a little before your time, ladies) about writing, and I let on at that time that I've authored a couple of computer books (the Amazon page for one is actually linked in my signature, so it's not really a secret!) I think that was also the thread where I let on that it's actually "Dr. Friedman-Hill" (but as my mother-in-law says, "not the kind that helps people.") But Kay, just "Ernest" is fine!

[oliverandjazz]

thank you mr. hill...ummm Ernest..that will take a lil getting used to..as your name in itself requires the respect of Mr. Hill..

[Kaly]

Its funny how here it is easy for me to call everyone by their first name, unless the avatar says Mr...or Dr..., in real life I never call someone by their first name unless I already know the person very well or if they much younger than I am
So Ernest you have a degree in computers? is that it?

while I'm waiting for my coloured CP's I did this yucky sunset with guache...don't like how it came out.
10 minutes guache on a card trade size paper.

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[oliverandjazz]

Its funny how here it is easy for me to call everyone by their first name, unless the avatar says Mr...or Dr..., in real life I never call someone by their first name unless I already know the person very well or if they much younger than I am
So Ernest you have a degree in computers? is that it?

while I'm waiting for my coloured CP's I did this yucky sunset with guache...don't like how it came out.
10 minutes guache on a card trade size paper.

 sunset.jpg ( 19.81K ) Number of downloads: 60

i love those colors clara..i have never used this guache.. i shall have to give it a try someday

[IslanderNL]

Watercolour is one of the most difficult mediums to master and really, like most other mediums, it takes lots of practice to do so.

The concept of watercolours is applying transparent layers of pigment one over the other so that the white of the paper still shines through. Its very easy to make it muddy and opaque which takes away from the beauty of it.

Also, the quality of paints that you use really do make a big difference in how your final piece comes out. Transparency is the key and many of the cheaper watercolours don't use the same level of pigment as the artist quality ones, however, they're useful for starting out to get a feel for the techniques of applying washes to paper. Also your brush should be good quality. Try to use an animal hair brush - squirrel is very common, holds its shape and water well and isn't too expensive. I've attached a copy of the watercolours that I use. THese are Windsor & Newton half pans which are artist quality dry paints that I can easily replace individual colours with. There are 24 half pans in this set. You can also get full pans.

People sometimes use watercolour pencils as well. They can be effective too, but you need to be careful when you apply them to your paper. You will need an even coat of pigment otherwise, your lines will show when you wet the paper and its near impossible to get rid of those lines. Experiment on a scrap of paper with techniques, colours, values, whether paper is damp or dry, etc. before you put brush to paper. I always say that with watercolour that you need to plan it carefully. You need a strong detailed underdrawing and a plan of where your values will be placed. Look, look, think, look again and think again before your brush ever touches the paper.

Gouache is opaque and will not allow for transparent washes of colour. Its great on its own or used in small additions to a piece, but you need to be aware that it is different from watercolours.

I am not proficient in watercolours, simply because I prefer dry media, but I do dabble now and then. Here are a few pieces that I have completed that I don't hate too much.

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[oliverandjazz]

jeanette those are gorgeous...i love the kitty..thanks for dropping in and sharing your knowledge of this medium..it is much appreciated..and also for sharing the pics, giving us an example..they are lovely

[Kaly]

thanks Jeanette for explaining this to us. I thought water colors were an easy medium, I never tried them before..not sure I will now I will use my colored water pencils but I guess it is also diferent for water colours.
I love your water colour self portraits and the kitten is very cute