Archive for the 'painting' Category

More Watercolor Fun

h1 Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

Last week we talked about how to color paintings by using watercolors. But have you wondered what other materials you could use other materials to paint with? Of course, it takes a little practice but there are simple ways to making your paintings look fabulous with little stress.

So, let’s start with other materials you can paint with. First of all there is a sea sponge, available at any craft store.  These sponges are ideal for quick paintings that will look wonderful. The first step is not to sketch anything, but rather to dip the sponge in water and squeeze it out. Then take the sponge and put it into fairly thick paint. You may want to dip it in the water again, but it is just preference. The next part is simple; dab the sponge on the page. Don’t worry too much about what shapes you are making because you are just going to look at the shape, see what it reminds you of, and fill in the rest of the picture with a paintbrush and other color. I have done this with trees, potted plants, and sidewalk grass but feel free to get creative. 

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Another cool material you can try to use is a comb, which is ideal for grass, and vertical lines in quick paintings. The idea is really simple; all you have to do is create a wash and follow up with the comb. To create a wash, first wet the paper down well (either under the faucet, with a sponge, or with your paint brush), then come in with a paint brush full of color. Tada! A watercolor wash! For the comb, just dip the comb in the paint and put it over your wash once it is dry. It is a simple and fun way to create grass.  1.jpg6.jpg

There are so many things to experiment with; combs and sponges are just a few things. Take a piece of cardboard, bubble wrap, gauze, cling wrap, toothbrushes, screw drivers, or forks and see what they do when you paint with them. Experiment. Like Mrs. Frizzle says, “Take chances! Make mistakes! And get messy!”

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Color Your Painting

h1 Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

           Have you ever wondered what watercolors were and how to work with them? Of course, it takes practice but there are simple steps to making your paintings look fabulous. For beginners it is easiest to just go to any craft store and pick up a tray of paints that say watercolor on them. But for more advanced works, I would recommend getting tubes of paint from Reeves. Although all of these are good, my personal favorites are Winsor Newton professional paints. Like so many other things, the more expensive the paints, the better the quality. But of course there are exceptions. I do not want to pressure anyone into buying paints that are really expensive. As for paint brushes, there are specific brushes for watercolors. Just ask for help at a craft store and purchase some moderately priced ones.

           But before painting the picture, just like when shading, try working with your paints and see the different lightness’s and darkness’s of each color by creating a value scale. To create a value scale for watercolors is slightly different than for pencil. Instead of pressing harder or softer, you add water. Gently put your paint brush in the water, and then put it into your paint, which should be squeezed on a plastic plate or a pallet. The more water you add to the paint the lighter the color becomes. Practice this technique with the colors you want to, notice the way your paint moves on the watercolor paper.

Value Scale

           There are a limited number of ways to paint with watercolor.  The only way I know how is to just hold your paint brush, with paint watered down already on it, like you hold a pencil, and swish your paint brush across the page. Notice how the paint spreads form the tip; try not to smush the paint brush against the paper because it will most definitely ruin your brush. Also, practice turning the paint brush see how the line becomes fat and then skinny. To clean the paint off of your brush, swish it around in your water until it is clean; but, be careful because water may splash up at you.

            After the experimentation with the watercolors and your brushes you will be ready to make a wonderful painting. So pick up something from around the house, like an apple and a pitcher set them up together in a sunny spot. What you have set up together is called a still life, because it is something from life that is not moving. Notice how there are darks and lights on that object, just like the value scale, and there is probably a shadow underneath the object. Start to lightly sketch the object but do not shade. Keep in mind that you want to be able to erase your line if you make a mistake and be able to paint over the lines. Sketch

            Phew! Sometimes getting the drawing just how you want it to be is hard, but once you are done with the outline it is time to do as Mrs. Frizzle says, “Take chances! Make mistakes! And get messy!” Don’t be afraid to mess up; you can always start over again another time.  Plus watercolor painting takes practice, and painting is all about experience. So after taking a deep breath, start mixing the paints you would like to use. I would recommend not mixing the colors on top of each other. Rather, make a puddle of water on a palette, and then dip your paint in the color you want to mix. Next put it on your paper, clean off your brush and do the same with the color you want to mix. Making the perfect color takes practice, but don’t be afraid to try.   Once you’ve made your colors start with the lightest color, like yellow. Then put in your darks, it is a lot easier to cover over the lights with the darks. Once you have put the lights in, I would recommend letting the paint dry so that the colors don’t mix. If they do mix, dry your paint brush off and put your paint brush on the spot that mixed. It should pull the paint up. But if that doesn’t work, put a paper towel on the wet spot, and the paint will pull up as well.

Watercolor Still Life  When you are done, sign your name, or put your symbol on the work of art, so that everyone can identify you as the artist. Remember, art is in the eye of the beholder, be creative. Have fun!

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