|
Sometimes you need to add interest and variety to
your watercolour paintings by trying out different effects. Watercolour paints
don't require much coaxing to produce an intended effect. By controlling the amount of water used
in watercolour painting the artist is able to create varied results. Practiced watercolourists
are able to manipulate the soft colours and textures of the paint pigment by combining dry brushing, wet into wet painting, or using an additive including salt or masking fluid.
Before adding watercolour effects to
you paintings you should firstly, learn how watercolours move across the paper. Spend time
practicing with the paint and use different amounts of water and apply it using different brushes to achieve a unique look.
Create a wash effect on the watercolour
paper by working on a tilted board. A wash effect may be painting from the top to the bottom of the paper
or you can turn your paper and apply paint the same way. Mix the desired wash colour with some paint
pigment. Make you mix enough paint to cover the entire paper. Run a flat wide brush across the top of the paper. While the first row is still wet, start the next row so it slightly overlaps the first layer. Continue adding rows of slightly overlapped colour
paint until you reach the bottom of the page. The result will be a solid wash of colour
that can be used as a background image.
Vary the above wash effect by making a gradient wash.
You do this by loading the paintbrush with colour and water, and make a bold line across the top of the paper.
Next add water only to the brush and make the next row. Continue the rows, adding water only. The paint colour from the
top layer will mix with the water. The result will be a gradient effect with darker colour on the top
of your watercolour painting fading to light or almost clear on the bottom. Use the dry gradient wash as a background image. Turn the paper upside down for a different effect.
Next try the same again but when you reach the halfway point on the paper
change the colour and continue letting the colours mix.
Next try sprinkling salt on a wet watercolour painting for a crystallized effect. The salt crystals may be used to depict frost, snowflakes, or simply add interest to the painting. When the
watercolour painting is completely dry, gently brush the salt crystals away with your hand.
Next keep a section of the watercolour paper
white by using painting over it with masking fluid. Masking fluid can help the watercolour painter achieve detailed effects and hints of white, without compromising the watercolour
painting. This avoids having to use white paint. Paint over the masking fluid. When the
watercolour painting is dry, lightly rub the masking fluid off to reveal the white of the paper.
Next get an old tooth brush and fill it
with paint then flick paint onto the painting by rubbing a finger over a paint-covered brush. Aim the brush at the
paper in the direction you want the tiny paint splatters to follow. This is a useful effect for water scenes
and sand on a beach etc.
I hope you enjoyed the tips, now apply
them to your next watercolour painting. Happy Painting!!
Note: You can view a bigger
version of the watercolour paintings by placing your mouse
curser on the image and click. A new window will open with the
bigger image. When finished viewing, just close the window and
come back here to view the other watercolour paintings.
Additional ordering information
appear at the bottom of the page
| 
search facility 