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.
List of Brushstrokes
- This is my first watercolor
- Joe Cibere Watercolor Blog
- How I Began
- One Key Component
- And You Need Some Paint
- And You Must Have Good Quality Paper
- I like to use Arches 140 lb. paper to paint on most of the time.
- Video Lessons in Watercolor
- Style and Technique
- Watercolor for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter
- Excellent Watercolor Resources
- More Specific Painting Techniques
- Prints of My Watercolors
- Make Each Painting Your Own
- Learn More About Watercolor
- Learn to Watercolor
- Artistic Comments
- New About Me
This is my first watercolor
My sister has the original.
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
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)
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.
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And You Need Some Paint
And You Must Have Good Quality Paper
Strathmore Artist Trading Cards- Watercolor (Cold Press 140lb)
Amazon Price: $2.49 (as of 07/05/2009)
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)
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)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Arches Block 300lb Cold Press 9x12 10/Sheets
Amazon Price: $34.29 (as of 07/05/2009)
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)
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 140 Lb Cold Press Watercolor Paper 22 x 30 inch - Pack of 5 Sheets
Amazon Price: $16.45 (as of 07/05/2009)
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.
Watercolor Painting for Beginners : How to Mix Colors for Watercolor Painting
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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
Watercolor for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lessons in Becoming a Good Painter
Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
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.
Excellent Watercolor Resources
These books will give you a great start with watercolor painting.
More Specific Painting Techniques
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.
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Artistic Comments
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 : )
Posted February 12, 2009
WendyKrick wrote...
I'm in awe of you. You are so very talented. I love it all!
Posted 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.
Posted November 11, 2008
by lakeerieartists
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