My Journey into Watercolor

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Painting with Watercolors is Much Harder Than it Looks

I began my journey into watercolor about 5 years ago, after being a jewelry artist for over 10 years. I wanted to explore the wonderful colors but had absolutely no experience with painting. Little did I know that watercolor is considered the most difficult paint technique.

Since I had already started working with the watercolors, I decided to continue. And I found out that I loved it. I love the look of the paint, and I love mixing my own colors.

This lens is an introduction to my watercolors and how to get started yourself with watercolor. It is still not my primary art form, but I love the medium and would not change to another paint style, although I may learn to add another type of paint one day. Watercolors allow me to be soft and transparent, or bold. Colors are layered on so I am forced to take my time as I create a painting.

If you want to see the originals of these paintings, you can view them in my gallery Lake Erie Artists Gallery.

Painting to the left is called Wolf.

This is my first watercolor 

My sister has the original.

Sunflower

Sunflower


I had to paint the entire picture twice to get it right.

Joe Cibere Watercolor Blog 

Lots of cool watercolor hints and tips.

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How I Began 

I started painting in a class with a friend. We signed up together mainly because of the time frame. Little did I realize that the class was an ongoing class with many very experienced students.

The teacher of the class, who turned out to be a very established artist, fluent in painting of all types, pastel and other media, settled me in comfortably and really coached me at the level I was at. And the other students were extremely helpful and supportive.

My first trial painting was awful, but I learned how to use the paint. And as I used it more, and with much coaching, I learned some techniques.

The painting to the right is called Morning.

One Key Component 

You absolutely need a great set of brushes to do a great watercolor painting. Here is one sample:

Jack Richeson's Pure Sable Brush Set- These brushes were previously manufactured in Russia. They are now made in India out of pure red sable hair. This set contains five brushes including rounds in sizes 2/0 1 3 and 8 along with a big thick 3/4 inch flat wash brush with a nice full belly. A truly incredible value!

Jack Richeson Set of 5 Pure Sable Watercolor Brushes

Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 07/05/2009)Buy Now

Review
I love these brushes. Who wouldn't? My art teacher recommended them when I was ready to replace my synthetic "beginner" brushes. These are great quality and work just the way you want a watercolor brush to work.

Avg. Customer Rating: Amazon Rating

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

And You Need Some Paint 

And You Must Have Good Quality Paper 

Here is a selection of good paper to choose from or you can buy it in large sheets that can be cut down.

Strathmore Artist Trading Cards- Watercolor (Cold Press 140lb)

Amazon Price: $2.49 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Moleskine Watercolor Sketchbook 3-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches 60 detachable pages

Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Arches Block 140lb Cold Press 9x12

I like Arches a lot, and the block can easily be transported from place to place.

Amazon Price: $31.20 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Arches Block 300lb Cold Press 9x12 10/Sheets

Amazon Price: $34.29 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Arches 140 lb Cold Press Watercolor Paper 22x30 Inch- pack of 5 sheets

Amazon Price: $16.45 (as of 07/05/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

I like to use Arches 140 lb. paper to paint on most of the time. 

Sometimes I experiment with the 300 lb. paper.

Arches 140LB Cold Press Watercolor Paper...The worlds best known fine art papers Arches is mouldmade from 100% cotton linters. This gives them stability strength and exceptional tactility. Arches papers are neutral pH which assures their archival quality. Since 1492 every sheet of paper at the Arches mill in Lorraine France has been carefully manufactured by master craftsmen. Today Arches assures you of the same superb qualities that have made their papers the most preferred choice of demanding artists for five centuries. Pack of 5

Arches 140 Lb Cold Press Watercolor Paper 22 x 30 inch - Pack of 5 Sheets

Amazon Price: $16.45 (as of 07/05/2009)Buy Now

You can cut this paper to whatever size you need.

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Video Lessons in Watercolor 

Here are some great watercolor lessons that you can watch at home.


Sha-Daisies Watercolor Demonstration By Lori Andrews

Runtime: 4:50
30138 views
10 Comments:


Watercolor Painting for Beginners : How to Mix Colors for Watercolor Painting

Runtime: 1:03
65649 views
10 Comments:


Watercolor Painting Demonstration By Lori Andrews

Runtime: 6:17
78582 views
10 Comments:


Watercolor demonstration - Sky and Sea

Runtime: 9:37
82712 views
10 Comments:


Watercolor Painting Demonstration By Lori Andrews

Runtime: 9:15
57462 views
10 Comments:


Painting with Watercolor : Understanding Watercolor Paint Quality

Runtime: 2:21
6991 views
3 Comments:


Laying a watercolor wash

Runtime: 3:18
17981 views
10 Comments:


Painting with Watercolor : Paper Grain & Watercolor Painting

Runtime: 1:49
15806 views
6 Comments:


Watercolor painting of a landscape

Runtime: 4:29
103728 views
10 Comments:

Style and Technique 

My style is heavy on color.

Since I wasn't educated in a classical fashion in art school and I came at watercolor training in a somewhat backwards way, I have never really painted traditional looking watercolors. My work is heavy on color.

There is no pale, washed out colors in any of my paintings. I love color and watercolor allows me to use it. But I do use a lot more paint than many traditional watercolorists use.
Watercolor is a tough medium because you cannot paint over mistakes like in acrylic or oil. You can only continue to paint and include your previous brush strokes or start over.

The biggest trick is learning to layer the color on very slowly and incrementally in order to get the look you want without mistakes.

I still have a lot of paintings that I don't consider good enough to sell. But I continue to grow as a painter and artist.

The painting to the right is called Quilt Square.

Watercolor for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter 

In this new addition to Watson-Guptill's popularly priced series, concise and richly informative text is interspersed with gorgeous watercolor paintings, inspiring readers to high standards of personal achievement. Whyte discusses materials, tools, painting styles, and various techniques, including spattering, scraping, masking, and sponging. 175 color illustrations.

Watercolor for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter

Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)Buy Now

Review
This is a comprehensive book well worth your time and money. I especially like the instructional step-by-step color demonstrations which include still life, landscape, and figures and portraits.

Make Each Painting Your Own 

The trick to any kind of art is to find your own individual style. You can only do that by experimenting and trying different styles until you like what you have.

Don't let other painters naysay you. Do what you want. You are the artist. If you like it, others will too.

The painting to the right is called Snowy Owl.

Learn More About Watercolor 

Artistic Comments 

Lensmaster

gbenton789 wrote

Okay, your first watercolor is great, in my humble opinion. I think it's inspiring to see and would love to see your others : )

Reply Posted February 12, 2009

WendyKrick wrote...

I'm in awe of you. You are so very talented. I love it all!

ReplyPosted January 14, 2009

Stazjia wrote...

Great lens sharing your journey into watercolours. As you say, they aren't easy to master. Welcome to the Art & Design Group.

ReplyPosted November 11, 2008

Jewelsofawe wrote...

Wow! That flower is amazing! Do you have more to show?

ReplyPosted October 30, 2008

Mayflowerblood wrote...

your first water color piece is very pretty.

ReplyPosted October 30, 2008

 
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