OBJECTIVE:
Level 1: Students will experiment with watercolor to achieve a variety of visual effects. Students will use wet-on-wet loose watercolor techniques for land/sky/seascapes. Students will use wet-on-dry to achieve more detailed paintings such as botanical paintings and illustration.
Level 2+: Students can re-familiarize themselves with watercolor by trying out some of the projects we did in level 1 for a few days. Then, students should use watercolor to create an original illustration. Examples are below. The illustration does not need to adhere to the style of the two artists mentioned below.
TECHNIQUES TO REVIEW:
Level 1: Students will experiment with watercolor to achieve a variety of visual effects. Students will use wet-on-wet loose watercolor techniques for land/sky/seascapes. Students will use wet-on-dry to achieve more detailed paintings such as botanical paintings and illustration.
Level 2+: Students can re-familiarize themselves with watercolor by trying out some of the projects we did in level 1 for a few days. Then, students should use watercolor to create an original illustration. Examples are below. The illustration does not need to adhere to the style of the two artists mentioned below.
TECHNIQUES TO REVIEW:
- Wet-on-wet: Wet paint (water and paint) on wet paper.
- Wet-on-dry: Wet paint (water and paint) on dry paper.
- Dry-brush technique: Paint (no water) on brush. Great for textures (hair, grass, etc.)
- Wash: Water and paint evenly spread over an entire area/surface. Great for skies.
- Glazing: Layering washes to create deeper more complex colors. If you want your top layer to not bleed, wait for your bottom layer to dry first. Similarly, if you don't want certain areas to bleed together, make sure the surrounding areas are dried or the watercolor will bleed.
- Negative Painting: Painting around an object to keep it white (the color of the paper). Great for clouds, flowers, etc.
- Gradient: Going from dark to light. Add more paint for dark, more water for light.
- Blotting/Lift: To use a paper towel or tissue to lift away excess water or color.
- Fixing Mistakes: Let the watercolor dry. Take a clean paintbrush and clean water. "Paint" water over the area you want to lift away, then blot dry.
- Extras: You can add salt for texture. You can print saran wrap for texture. You can draw with a white crayon first and watercolor over it to create a resist. You can drop rubbing alcohol on watercolor for a cool drip look.
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ARTIST EXAMPLES
Loose watercolor Land/sky/seascapes Some are photos and are not paintings. |
ARTIST EXAMPLES
Detail watercolor Botanical/Architecture Some are photos and are not paintings. |
ILLUSTRATION (LEVEL 2+)
For advanced levels/individuals, try creating an illustration using watercolor. Check out the works of Luisa Rivera and Carson Ellis for inspiration. Think about what kind of story or message you want to tell.
For advanced levels/individuals, try creating an illustration using watercolor. Check out the works of Luisa Rivera and Carson Ellis for inspiration. Think about what kind of story or message you want to tell.
