Lesson 4
Choose one color, blue or red, plus black to paint with. This project is not about color mixing, but learning the technique of making washes and gradations of color. 1. Draw the outlines on watercolor paper. If you must erase, do so lightly when using watercolor paper. Heavy erasing roughs up the surface and the paint will absorb into that area differently than in other areas, especially on cheaper brands of paper. 2. Wet the whole area of the object with the mop or flat brush dipped in clean water. Lay on a light wash in this area with the flat brush, working wet – on-wet. Without waiting for the area to dry, apply paint to darken areas. Keep adding darker values until the form of the object is clearly seen. 3. Let the wash dry completely then apply any sharp lines onto the dry paper with one of the round brushes.
MATERIALS
Watercolor pallet
Jar of water
Brushes
Watercolor paper
Paper towels Artist’s ta pe
REFERENCES
Student Gallery
Choose a photo of one large object that is of interest to you: a portrait a plant an animal a building Make sure there is one direct light source. If there is only one source, you will see both a light and a shade on the object and the form will be clear.
This student work by Nathaniel Ellis shows the values of blue. He tints areas of sky as he worked wet on wet.
LOOK BACK! Did you gain control of the wash while working wet-on-wet? Was the wash allowed to dry completely before applying sharper lines?
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