July 8, 2010
Artists who wish to try their hand at painting with watercolor are likely to find the transparency which is a basic characteristic of this medium a difficult to handle especially after having dealt with other artistic mediums which are opaque in nature. Therefore, perusal of a few essential tips prior to embarking on this creative journey would certainly help one not only to attain mastery in handling this medium but deriving satisfaction from the end result as well.
One of the most essential watercolor tips for beginners is that good knowledge and fluency in drawing always helps in producing great paintings. A well planned drawing is thought out by judging the placement of subject on the page and marking out its position with a few basic thumbnail sketches. These are capitalized upon by making a few accurate and simple shapes to which details are added as the artist proceeds. However, the concentration of details may vary from one region of the drawing to another with the maximum being around the main focus of the painting. The only recommendation for mastering this basic requisite is to practice incessantly as it is this practice which would enable the artist to make accurate judgments as regards the proportion of the drawing.
Thumbnail sketches form the basic groundwork for a painting and these could be made from pencil, charcoal or pastel pencil. Since these sketches form the plan of the painting, the artist could break them into a number of different tonal areas so as to be able to position the light and dark areas with accuracy. Some of the different tones which are characteristic of thumbnail sketches are black, dark grey, light grey and white and these are deftly arranged around the center of interest of the painting.
Every painting has a particular theme which serves as the focal point of the painting and in the jargon related to this field it is referred to as the center of interest. Undoubtedly this should be positioned in such a way that it serves as the cynosure of the painting but care should be taken not to place it in the middle whether horizontally or vertically. An ideal location would be to place it at an unequal distance from each side preferably in the horizontal and vertical ratio of 1:2.
One of the most important watercolor tips for beginners involves the appropriate understanding of the color harmony. In this regard, the beginner is advised to limit himself to 2-3 colors in accordance with the subject of the painting. Further guidelines suggest avoiding the use of neutral dark colors and in case foreign colors are being used, they should be spread throughout the painting so as not to appear discordant or incongruent with the rest of color scheme.
Beginners should be particularly careful not to overindulge while painting as an overly done painting tends to appear too tiring to be comprehended and appreciated. Therefore, a balance can be achieved by dotting some areas with details while leaving some others completely plain by contrast.
Incorporating all these watercolor tips for beginners would obviously take time but instead of getting disheartened through mistakes or problems, the novice painter might as well derive confidence from the positive aspects of his work and move on.
Categories: Watercolor Tips.
Tags: beginner watercolor techniques, painting with watercolor, Watercolor painting techniques, Watercolor Tips, watercolor tips for beginners, watercolor tricks
August 28, 2009
Discovering some good watercolor tips can help you to find your feet in the wonderful world of watercolor painting. There are more elements involved with the art than simply brushes, paint and paper, as the options for each are immense in themselves, and all will have a great deal of effect upon the outcome of your painting. From the pigments you choose, to the quality of the paper, it is good to learn and understand how the different variables come together to form a painting. Starting off as a beginner in watercolor painting may seem daunting, but it is something which should be experienced with joy. After the desire has set in to paint, you will need some watercolor supplies.
When it comes to mixing colors, many of the cheaper paints will not be as bold, and they may be sold as hues of colors. Before purchasing any of these cheaper items, ask yourself why it may look as if you are getting more for your money, and then consider that most hues and shades can actually be concocted and mixed from a very basic palette. It may not be necessary to purchase them just because there is quantity over quality. Weigh up the options of whether spending a little extra on a few quality paints will be better for your projects. Remember never to leave any paint to dry on your brushes and to clean them regularly as well as drying them out properly.
If your budget does not stretch far enough to purchase a good, high end ceramic palette, then you can look around the home for cheaper alternatives. Working your way up to owning the best watercolor supplies will naturally be the ideal thing to do, but along your journey of discovering the art, find ways and means to express yourself without breaking the bank. Ice trays, white plates, plastic pill boxes or the Styrofoam containers from food products will also serve a purpose as palettes. Most of these will be one time use only, especially if the surfaces start to stain.
Check the balance of brush when you are looking around in your watercolor art supplies store. Find ones that feel comfortable to you, and do not just judge things on price. You have to be comfortable with the tools you are using, so that you can allow your creativity to flow without interruptions. Check how different papers react to the paints you are using. Papers vary a lot in weight and absorbency, therefore working with them will produce different results. Experiment and see which suits your style. Some cheaper papers may give you a unique effect that you can use and explore further.
Learn as much as you can from people around you, as well as your peers. By learning to how to use watercolor techniques to create your own pictures, you will no doubt come across artists who you take to your creative heart as favorites for inspiration. It is good to understand what motivated them, what techniques they used, and how they communicated so well through color. That way you will be able to practice and emulate them, learning new skills along the way to further your own painting individuality. Books, the internet and local art classes are a great way to learn new hints and tips which will expand your own repertoire of watercolor techniques. How to watercolor made easy 
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Categories: How To Watercolor Videos, Watercolor Tips.
Tags: cheep watercolor paints, how to mix watercolor, how to watercolor, old palace yard, plein air watercolor, Watercolor Tips, watercolor tips and tricks, watercolor tips tricks, watercolor tricks, westminster
