Week 2 of Watercolor Landscapes

Painting Watercolor Washes:

Preparation:

• Gather your materials: watercolor paints, a large flat brush, a palette, water, and watercolor paper.

• Pre-wet the paper if necessary for better color flow

1. Flat Wash: A flat wash is a uniform layer of color applied evenly across an area of the paper.

Steps:

1. Mixing Paint:

   • Prepare a large amount of paint with a sufficient amount of water to ensure an even consistency.

2. Application:

   • Dip the brush into the paint and load it with a generous amount of color.

   • Begin applying the paint to the paper in horizontal or vertical strokes, depending on your preference.

   • Work quickly to ensure that the wash remains even and does not dry before you finish.

3. Blending:

   • As you apply the paint, make sure to overlap each stroke slightly to avoid visible lines or streaks.

   • For a perfect flat wash, avoid touching the painted area once it's applied to prevent unevenness.

4. Drying:

   • Allow the wash to dry completely. Avoid disturbing the paper during this process.

Tips:

• Use a large, flat brush to cover more area efficiently.

• Ensure even pressure and consistent paint loading to avoid streaks.

2. Graded Wash: A graded wash transitions smoothly from a darker to a lighter value of the same color.

Steps:

1. Mixing Paint:

   • Prepare a gradient of paint by mixing a strong concentration of color with water to create various shades from dark to light.

2. Application:

   • Start with the darkest color at one end of the area you want to paint.

   • Apply the dark color in horizontal or vertical strokes, depending on your preference.

   • Gradually add more water to your paint as you work towards the other end to achieve a lighter value.

3. Blending:

   • Blend the paint as you go to create a smooth transition from dark to light.

   • Use a clean, damp brush to soften and smooth out any harsh lines where the color transitions.

4. Drying:

   • Allow the graded wash to dry completely without disturbing it.

Tips:

• Work quickly to prevent the paint from drying before you achieve the gradient.

• Keep your brush clean and well-moistened to help with smooth transitions.

3. Variegated Wash: A variegated wash features a blend of multiple colors or values, creating a varied and dynamic effect.

Steps:

1. Mixing Paint:

   • Prepare several colors or variations of the same color on your palette.

2. Application:

   • Apply different colors or values side by side on the wet paper using a large brush.

   • Allow the colors to slightly overlap where they meet, blending them together naturally.

3. Blending:

   • You can use a clean, damp brush to gently blend the colors where they meet to create a more integrated look.

   • Alternatively, you can let the colors merge naturally for a more spontaneous effect.

4. Drying:

   • Let the wash dry completely. If desired, you can add additional layers or details once the initial wash is dry.

Tips:

• Experiment with different color combinations and the amount of overlap to achieve various effects.

• Be mindful of the paper’s wetness; too wet and colors may run uncontrollably, too dry and blending will be difficult.

These techniques can be used individually or combined to create complex and rich watercolor compositions. Enjoy exploring these methods in your artwork!

Creating Watercolor Landscape Skies

1. Flat Wash for the Sky

Steps:

1. Preparation:

   • Gather your materials: watercolor paints, a large flat brush, a palette, water, and watercolor paper.

   • If using a large area, consider taping the edges of your paper to prevent warping.

2. Mixing Paint:

   • Mix a large amount of your chosen sky color (e.g., a light blue) with plenty of water to achieve a thin, even consistency.

3. Pre-wet the Paper:

   • Wet the entire area where you plan to apply the wash with clean water using a large brush or a spray bottle. This helps the paint spread evenly.

4. Application:

   • Load your large flat brush with the diluted paint and begin applying it to the wet paper in long, even strokes.

   • Work from one side to the other, making sure to overlap each stroke slightly to avoid visible lines or streaks.

   • Maintain a consistent brush pressure and speed to ensure an even application.

     
     

     **At this point you can also lift out clouds. See instructions bellow.

5. Drying:

   • Allow the flat wash to dry completely before adding additional details or layers.

2. Variegated Wash for Dynamic Sky Effects

Definition: A variegated wash blends multiple colors or values to create a more dynamic and interesting sky.

Steps:

1. Preparation:

   • Gather your materials: watercolor paints, a large round brush, a palette, water, and watercolor paper.

   • Pre-wet the paper or the area you plan to paint.

2. Mixing Paint:

   • Prepare multiple colors or shades on your palette. For a stormy sky, you might use a gradient from lighter blues to darker grays or purples.

3. Application:

   • Start with one color at one edge of the wet paper.

   • Gradually introduce the next color, blending it into the first one as you apply.

   • Continue this process, overlapping colors and blending where they meet to create a smooth transition.

4. Blending:

   • Use a clean, damp brush to blend colors where they meet if needed.

   • Experiment with different color placements and blending techniques to achieve the desired sky effect.

   **At this point you can also lift out clouds. See instructions bellow.

5. Drying:

   • Let the variegated wash dry completely before proceeding to add details or layers.

**Creating Clouds with Lifting and Layering

1. Lifting Paint:

   
   

   • Gently press the dry towel the wet area to lift off some of the paint, creating cloud shapes and textures.

   • Use a light touch to avoid disturbing the paper too much.

2. Creating Cloud Shapes:

   • Shape the clouds by adjusting the pressure and placement of the towel.

   • You can also use a clean, damp brush to refine cloud edges and shapes if needed.

Layering Color for Stormy Clouds:

1. Preparation:

   • Mix darker colors (e.g., dark grays, purples, or blues) on your palette for the stormy effect.

2. Application:

   • Apply the darker colors over the lifted areas, focusing on the cloud shapes created earlier.

   • Use a round or flat brush to add layers of color, varying the intensity to create depth and contrast.

3. Blending and Detailing:

   • Blend the dark colors with the surrounding sky to integrate the clouds into the overall scene.

   • Add additional layers or color variations as needed to enhance the stormy effect.

4. Final Touches:

   • Once the painting is dry, you can add final details or highlights to refine the stormy clouds and the sky.

Tips:

• For a more dramatic sky, experiment with different color combinations and blending techniques.

• Practice lifting and layering on a test piece of paper to get comfortable with the techniques before applying them to your final artwork.

By following these steps, you can create a dynamic and expressive sky in your watercolor landscapes, capturing both calm and stormy weather effects effectively. Enjoy experimenting with these techniques to bring your skies to life!