I've never really mastered watercolor, though it's been on my agenda for this year to start experimenting and learning. I am in awe of how much specific knowledge you have compiled about the various papers and techniques for watercolor work. You achieve marvelous things!
So two things that frustrated me in my early attempts at watercolor were controlling where the paint went and this hard edges where the paint collected and dried. Like you Colleen, I wanted to have the control to make a “tight” painting. I learned that if you were working with a dry support you could paint with just water first and then paint with a slightly wet wash the color would “stay inside the lines”. The other issue was addressed when I learned to work the wet edge and not let it dry if I was trying continue with a flat color. Oh, one other “tip” I learned was how to lift color from the board using a clean brush, cotton swab, or paper towel. This works well if your watercolors don’t stain!
Thanks for this post! Having paper that won’t buckle or is pre-stretched is helpful. I have played with watercolor, gouache, and inks (really like the Hydrus liquid watercolor from Dr. ph Martins which can be highly saturated or blended down while it is also light fast and archival!)
Fabriano has excellent sketcbooks etc.
I've never really mastered watercolor, though it's been on my agenda for this year to start experimenting and learning. I am in awe of how much specific knowledge you have compiled about the various papers and techniques for watercolor work. You achieve marvelous things!
My artistic talents go towards the musical side of things, so visual art is magic to me. Love these “behind the scenes” things!
So two things that frustrated me in my early attempts at watercolor were controlling where the paint went and this hard edges where the paint collected and dried. Like you Colleen, I wanted to have the control to make a “tight” painting. I learned that if you were working with a dry support you could paint with just water first and then paint with a slightly wet wash the color would “stay inside the lines”. The other issue was addressed when I learned to work the wet edge and not let it dry if I was trying continue with a flat color. Oh, one other “tip” I learned was how to lift color from the board using a clean brush, cotton swab, or paper towel. This works well if your watercolors don’t stain!
Thanks for this post! Having paper that won’t buckle or is pre-stretched is helpful. I have played with watercolor, gouache, and inks (really like the Hydrus liquid watercolor from Dr. ph Martins which can be highly saturated or blended down while it is also light fast and archival!)