Are you thinking about developing your painting skills? Painting using watercolors is a promising and expressive skill. The painting is made using color pigments contained in a water-soluble carrier. You can control the amount of water added to create a glowing or striking painting. Watercolor paintings are often chosen to depict landscapes or nature. Whatever you want to paint, you need to buy equipment, get everything ready, and start practicing.
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Part 1 of 5: Buying Equipment
Step 1. Choose the type of watercolor you want to buy
Watercolors are available in small jars or tube packaging. Choosing watercolors in tube packaging will make it easier for you to add to your color collection because watercolors in small jars usually come in predetermined colors.
- Watercolors can be distinguished by their properties: some are transparent and some are opaque. The transparent color allows you to see the white of the paper so that every stroke of paint looks like it's glowing. Opaque colors can also make a painting look vivid, but have a tendency to look dull because the paint blocks light from coming through behind the paper.
- Watercolors can also be divided into paints that are easy to clean and those that are not. Paint that doesn't leave marks only paints the surface of the watercolor paper so it's easy to remove or mix with other watercolors without any traces. On the other hand, watercolors that stick more easily penetrate the layers of paper permanently and don't mix easily with other watercolors.
Step 2. Decide on the color of paint you will buy
You might want a base pack consisting of the primary colors: New Gamboge, Hansa Yellow Medium, Pyrrol Scarlet, Quinacridone Rose, French Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue (GS), and Quinacridone Burnt Orange. After learning how to paint with these basic colors, try experimenting with other types of paint.
Step 3. Choose the brush you will use
You will need many different brush sizes, from number 5 to number 10. The brush should have a fine tip so that it can be gripped easily. You may also have to purchase a flat brush. This brush has a long, straight tip which is useful when you are creating the base layer of your painting.
Some artists will advise you to invest right away in buying a good brush, but others suggest starting with an inexpensive brush until you're absolutely sure you're using watercolors. So, taking this confusing advice into account, choose a brush based on your budget and interest in watercolors
Step 4. Buy special watercolor paper
There is no other choice if you want a painting paper that doesn't bubble when you use it. Watercolor paper is usually heavy and textured. This type of paper is made to be resistant to water and a certain amount of paint.
Watercolor paper has three different textures, hot-pressed, which has a smooth surface, cold-pressed, which has a less slippery surface, and rough paper, which has a non-slip surface. You may need to use a thicker, heavier paper when starting out
Step 5. Make or buy other watercolor kits
When you start painting, you may be able to find items at home that you can use to paint. Once you've decided to paint using watercolors, you can invest in buying higher-quality equipment if you prefer.
Step 6. Find a palette
If you use items in your home, use a large plate. This plate will help you to mix some paint colors. If you want to buy a pallet, make sure you choose a pallet with a large basin so you can mix the water. You can buy one palette with multiple basins, or buy several to get the color you want.
Step 7. Find a board
When you're starting out, you can use a thick, sturdy cardboard set against a wall or plank. If you're buying a board, choose a wood, plexiglass, or foam board to hold the watercolors in. You'll also need to buy a support for the board while you're painting. This depends on personal preference, some people like to paint on a flat plane, but others like to paint at a certain angle.
Step 8. Look for tools to organize and clean your belongings
This equipment depends on your individual needs. Some artists use water containers, paper towels, pencils, and erasers. You may also want to wear old clothes or work clothes when painting.
Part 2 of 5: Start Painting
Step 1. Organize your workspace
This room should be comfortable for you. Choose an area that gets a lot of sun. If you'll be working at night, or if you can't paint in a well-lit area, you may need a very bright desk lamp.
Look for light bulbs with a full spectrum of light. That way, the light isn't too dim and makes it difficult for you to paint accurately. Also make sure your lampshades are pure white which will make your lighting more natural
Step 2. Organize your paint, brush and water
When you start painting, you don't want to stop and look for tools. Make sure the equipment is close to you, but still allows you to move around comfortably.
- If you're used to using your right hand, place the palette, brush, and water tank on your right, and paper towels and other tools on your left. Switch positions if you are left-handed.
- Place your brushes flat on paper towels when you're not using them. Never put the brush in a container of water because it will get dirty and damage the edges.
Step 3. Organize your paper
Glue special watercolor paper using masking tape and place it in the center of the table. Tilt your table slightly upward if possible, or lift the back of the cardboard by placing a wedge so that you get the angle you want.
You can make a light sketch of the painting on paper using a thin pencil. Many artists like to paint without the aid of a sketch, however, this step may be especially useful when you're just starting out. Make sure the eraser is within your reach to fix the error
Step 4. Choose the colors you will use in the painting
Choose red, yellow, and blue as the base colors. These colors will be mixed to make other colors that you will use in the painting. You can also choose other special colors to create a unique painting. Many artists use the same three basic colors in all of their work.
Step 5. Understand how to use warm and cool colors
Warm colors, such as red, orange, and yellow, tend to appear to emerge from the paper. Cool colors, like blues, purples and greens, look more subdued.
Complementary colors that are located opposite each other on the color wheel, such as yellow and purple, appear to have the same color strength when they are next to each other so in other words they look like they are competing for attention
Part 3 of 5: Learning the Basics of Watercolor Painting
Step 1. Learn how to mix solutions
Choose a paint color and pour a few drops into the container to mix. Dip the brush in the water and into the paint you have prepared. If you are using additional colors, make two color solutions in two different containers. Be sure to wash the brushes when changing colors.
- Don't use too much water. Start by using a small amount of water, and add to it a little at a time. Strengthening the color by adding paint will be more difficult than diluting the color by adding a little water.
- Fill the palette with various colors that will be used. Pour a little of the colors that will be used in the hollows of the palette.
Step 2. Practice mixing colors
In this way, you can find out the results of the mixture of these colors. Watercolors are very unique because they can be mixed and formed layers of color precisely. After trying a few times, you will be surprised at the results.
- After drying, the color of a watercolor painting will usually fade than when it was still wet. Keep this in mind when you want to darken or lighten a color.
- Don't mix colors too much. Paint colors don't have to be perfectly mixed. One brush stroke can produce color gradations and not just a single color. Therein lies the beauty of watercolor.
Step 3. Brush over the watercolor
To cover the entire brush with paint, brush the brush over the paint solution until the paint is completely absorbed. Lift the brush and run it over the edge of the paint container to remove any drips of paint. Alternatively, you can drain the brush several times so that the paint layer on the brush is not too thick.
You may want to dry the brush after applying the watercolor. To do this, all you have to do is touch the brush against a tissue to lift some of the paint off. You can also drain the paint either a little or a lot
Step 4. Learn how to wash brushes
You need to wash your brushes when you want to use a different color but keep the same brush, or when you've finished painting. Dip the brush in the water tank and press gently against the bottom of the bowl so that the bristles open and the paint comes off easily. Continue until your brush is completely clean.
If you clean multiple brushes at once, you may need to change the water used. You will not be able to clean brushes with dirty water
Part 4 of 5: Mastering Common Techniques
Step 1. Learn how to apply paint
This is a technique used to fill large shapes with a uniform color. To start, draw a square on the paper and fill the brush with the paint you will be using.
Step 2. Paint the top left corner
With a gentle touch, draw two thin lines about 1.3 cm long forming an angle. When lifting the brush, the watercolor dots should be visible on the surface of the paper. Touch the point with the brush several times to add more color and increase its size.
Step 3. Sweep the brush over the top of the square, painting only with the tip of the brush, then sweep the brush 1.3 cm long to the right
Lift up the brush, and apply more drops of color. You now have what is known as a color point.
Step 4. Start filling the box with paint
Draw a new line from right to left, this time with the body of the brush and not just the tip. Halfway through, stop and dip the brush in the paint solution first, then work your way up to the left of the box.
Step 5. Continue painting to the bottom of the square you have created
Continue painting from top to bottom on the outer edges and then continue painting towards the center of the square until you have filled your square with paint. Remember to paint from right to left, and from left to right when filling the rectangle.
Step 6. Learn how to blend two colors
In this technique, you will mix the two colors on the painting paper instead of the container so that you get a smooth transition from one color to another.
Step 7. Paint with the first color
You may need to practice controlled brush strokes to blend the colors. For example, paint about half of the image area using the first color.
Brush the brush with irregular lines at the bottom of the image, don't brush in a straight line. Rinse the brush afterwards
Step 8. Blend the second color on the brush
Touch the tip of the brush to the tip of the image you have created. Lift the brush so the paint doesn't drip. The second paint will blend in with the first color dot and increase its size.
The paint color on the brush can be mixed with the first color. You may need to wash the brush one more time and blend it with a second color. That way, the difference between the two colors will be obvious
Step 9. Learn how to soften corners
To create corners that are shaded or have color transitions, you must use water carefully.
Step 10. Paint a line with one color
Wash the brush and dry it until it's still damp but not dripping.
Step 11. Brush the brush on the lines
Be sure to do this step while the line is still wet. You can make one long stroke or several smaller strokes for a softer finish. The paint color will be mixed into the area that is still wet.
Step 12. Continue to soften the ends of the lines
Wash the brush and repeat again by painting a line on the wet side. Do this until the color doesn't mix again into the wet part.
Step 13. Learn how to remove watercolors from paper
This is a useful technique if you make a mistake or just want to create a unique effect. You can simply press down on the paper with a tissue, or use the tip of the brush to lift the paint from a narrower area.
Step 14. Take a clean brush and wet it slightly
Do not use too much water or you will not be able to control the color that will lift.
Use the flat part of the brush for larger areas. Use the tip of your brush if you only need to remove a small part of the color
Step 15. Brush the brush over the part of the color you want to lift
Use precise strokes and avoid brushing the brush again where it was before.
Step 16. Pat the brush on the towel
This will remove the color you have lifted.
Step 17. Clean and try again
Do this only if you want to lift another color.
Part 5 of 5: Practice with a Simple Black and White Mountain Image
Step 1. Draw a horizontal line on the paper
Use a pencil and ruler to draw a straight line about of the way down from the bottom of the paper. The scene you are about to paint is on the top and bottom of this line.
Step 2. Brush the water over the top of the painting paper
Use clear water and brush from top to bottom until about 10 cm from the line you have made.
Prepare several solutions of one color on the palette. Mix it with different amounts of water so you have several colors
Step 3. Paint the color of the sky
Coat a medium-sized brush with a light color and paint from top to bottom to about 10 cm from the line.
- The color should gradually get lighter as you paint closer to the horizon line. You can leave a little space between these color variations.
- You can leave an uncolored part of the sky to give the impression of the sun rising over the mountain. Be sure to soften the side of the painting that is on the part that is not colored.
Step 4. Coat the brush with paint and brush over the top of the sky
This will give a clear distinction between the sky and the horizon line.
Use a tissue to lift the color from the paper in some areas so that they look like clouds and have discoloration
Step 5. Let this sky painting dry
You can let it dry or use a hairdryer. A hairdryer will speed up the process, but make sure you use special watercolor paper to prevent bubbles.
Step 6. Paint the mountains
Start from a few cm above the horizon line and use a dark color to paint the outline on the paper. Make sure that the lines are a few cm above the horizon line without touching each other.
There's no need to try to make a straight, rigid mountain painting; angles that are not sharp and lines that are not completely flat, reflect the true mountain
Step 7. Paint the mountains the same color
Paint from top to bottom towards the horizon line, but stop at about 1.3 cm above it.
Step 8. Paint the ground
This is the area between the mountain and the horizon line. Dip a stiff brush into the same color mixture you used to paint the mountains and hold it horizontally like a chisel, then brush the paint along the horizon line.
Step 9. Continue painting on the horizon line
Keep holding the brush firmly like a chisel and varying your paint layers, making one part darker and the other lighter. Your lowest line should be darker, as that will be the end of the lake.
- Create a texture by making irregular horizontal lines.
- Leave a white blank for a natural effect.
Step 10. Paint a lake as the foreground
This is the part closest to you in the painting. Apply paint to a wide, stiff brush and plenty of water to create lighter or softer colors. Using one precise line, sweep your brush from side to side without stopping.
- To give the impression of a reflection of sunlight on the water, lightly brush the brush on the part of the lake just below the horizon line so that the white part of the paper is visible between the paint strokes.
- Repeat this stroke until the bottom of the paper is about 2.5 cm before the edge of the paper.
Step 11. Let the lake painting dry
You can let it dry or use the dryer again.
Step 12. Finish painting the lower part of the foreground
Coat the brush with a dark color and sweep horizontally to paint a dark, thick, uneven line at the bottom of the lake. Color this foreground with a dark color and a light color on the light colored parts of the lake and sky.
To add reeds, dry a stiff brush, coat it with a very dark paint color, and draw a vertical line pointing down from the lake line. Avoid painting reeds all over the line. Choose an appropriate part of the lake for drawing the reeds
Step 13. Appreciate your work
Your first painting is done, and you can sign it, layer it, and frame it. Practice constantly and learn other techniques like sponging, splattering, using salt, dry painting and more.
