Week 3 of Beginners Watercolor

Watercolor Techniques:

Layering (Glazing)

Purpose: Build depth and translucency for shells.

1. Prepare Your Colors: Mix light washes of your chosen hues (e.g., soft browns, creams, and pastels for shells). Use diluted paint for transparency.

2. Base Layer: Start with a light wash of the lightest color. Allow it to dry completely.

3. Build Depth: Once the first layer is dry, add subsequent layers of paint in slightly darker tones. Use thin washes to gradually deepen shadows and emphasize the natural curves and textures of the shell.

4. Control the Glaze: Let each layer dry before adding the next. This prevents muddying and maintains the translucency.

Tip: Use a fine-tipped round brush for tight areas and a larger flat brush for broader washes.

Splattering

Purpose: Add texture to shells for a realistic, speckled look.

1. Mix Paint: Use a 2% milk like paint consistency to start.

2. Test First: Practice on scrap paper to get a feel for the amount of paint and pressure needed.

3. Splatter Technique:

   • Hold the brush above your painting and gently tap it with another brush or finger to create specks.

   • For larger more control, flick the bristles directly with your finger.

   • Practice using the splattering techniques on different types of surfaces

     • Areas that are dry, areas that are wet, areas that have a mixture of wet and dry

     • Areas that have a high saturation of color and maybe you splatter water instead of paint

4. Control the Area: Cover parts of your painting you want to protect with a piece of paper.

   
   

Tip: Use a toothbrush for finer, denser speckles.

Fine Details

Purpose: Add intricate starfish patterns and shell ridges.

1. Small Brush Work: Use a detail brush (size 0 or 1) for precision.

2. Starfish Patterns:

• Use darker or complementary colors to paint tiny dots, lines, or irregular patterns.

3. Shell Ridges:

• Follow the natural curves or grooves of the shell.

• Use a slightly darker tone than the base color to accentuate the ridges.

Tip: Use a cream like paint consistency for better control over thin lines.

Blending

Purpose: Soften edges for a polished finish on curves and shadows.

1. Wet-on-Wet: Apply clean water to the area you want to blend, then add paint. Let the pigment flow naturally for a soft gradient.

2. Feathering: If an edge looks harsh, use a damp (not wet) brush to gently drag the color outward and soften the transition.

3. Color gradient: Blend two colors together by applying one color on one side, another on the other side, and working them together with a clean, damp brush.

4. Shadow Blending: Start with light washes for shadows. Build up the depth slowly and blend outward to avoid hard lines.

Tip: Always have a towel or dry brush handy to lift excess water or paint when blending.

By combining these techniques, you’ll create beautifully detailed and textured watercolor shells and starfish with depth, realism, and a touch of artistic flair.