Becoming a Watercolor Artist
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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.
For information on how to sell your art on Ebay, click here.
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.
- Watercolor Techniques
- 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
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
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!
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.
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: (as of 05/23/2012)
You can cut this paper to whatever size you need.
Watercolor Techniques
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- Watercolor painter teaches workshop to local artists
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Video Lessons in Watercolor
Here are some great watercolor lessons that you can watch at home.
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 (Practical Art Books)
Amazon Price: $21.00 (as of 05/23/2012)
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.
Usually ships in 24 hours
Excellent Watercolor Resources
These books will give you a great start with watercolor painting.
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
About lakeerieartists
Learn to Watercolor
Artistic Comments
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bjslapidary
Jan 31, 2012 @ 11:59 am | delete
- Great lens. Like to see what other artists are doing. Enjoyed your info.
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curious0927
Jan 9, 2012 @ 3:05 pm | delete
- The best brushes you mentioned show's no link available an Amazon! The pure sable from India. Please help. The ones on Ebay don't look like what you are talking about! Thanks again for a superb lens!
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curious0927
Jan 9, 2012 @ 2:57 pm | delete
- Great Lens! I'm so inspired, might need to order some brushes! Thanks for sharing your favorite supplies. That is so important. I'm hesitant to start a project most of the time due to the first and most important thing...the correct supplies! You have been blessed by a Squid Angel!
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seosmm
Jan 8, 2012 @ 6:25 am | delete
- Beautiful work and very nice lens!
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bjslapidary
Nov 3, 2011 @ 10:50 am | delete
- Nice lens. Thanks for sharing some great info. Nice paintings.
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sorana
Apr 19, 2011 @ 9:07 am | delete
- Great lens and beautiful artwork displayed. Your watercolour 'Vase with roses' is awesome.
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Janiece Apr 1, 2011 @ 9:39 pm | delete
- I"m always looking for more art ideas and tips for my son and myself. Blessed by a Squid Angel and featured on my Angel Blessings on Squidoo lens!
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mcochs
Mar 27, 2011 @ 11:17 am | delete
- Awesome lens! Blessed by a Squidoo Angel on 3/27/2011. Have a great day!
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sagebrush_mama
Mar 16, 2011 @ 10:23 pm | delete
- My 12 yo got to spend some time with Grandpa, trying out a little water color...now we are hunting down a pocket set like he has...white plastic case, probably a dozen and a half colors...do you have a recommendation on the best travel type kits?
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lakeerieartists Apr 10, 2011 @ 10:40 am | delete
- I want to apologize for taking so long to answer this question, but I had to do some research. You can buy travel kits from artist supply stores, and it is best to go to a local shop if possible to talk to someone in the know. Many of the small kits are not very expensive, and you may also be able to find a kit that comes with an instruction book, and a brush, paints, everything you need to take except the water. These usually come with a small palette included, usually the lid of the case. I think that you should be able to find a nice kit with everything except paper for under $30.
I would stick to kits made for artists, or student artists, and skip the ones made for kids. About the same price, and vastly inferior in quality.
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sagebrush_mama
Apr 12, 2011 @ 5:54 pm | delete
- Thanks so much for comig back to this one! My daughter was taken with an inexpensive kit at WalMart, about 12.97/12 colors, and used some chore money to purchase. She is painting her little heart out! I'll have to write about it, she has some really interesting things so far! My Dad liked the set so much, that he's planning to get one, as it's just a bit smaller than what he had, and perfect for some of his outings. He had a chance to give her some suggestions for exercises, and got to see some of her work this weekend! I am amazed that she does so well...she definitely got a bit of Grandpa's art genes!
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bjslapidary
Feb 2, 2011 @ 5:20 pm | delete
- Enjoyed your lens. Tells me that I should get back to watercolor painting. Thanks for sharing.
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EditorDave Jan 1, 2011 @ 6:34 pm | delete
- Nice lens! I wish I could have stayed with learning art (and water colors, oils, and acrylics) when I was a kid in junior high and high school. At least I kept my interest in photography going. And now my daughter is our artist - becoming professional (aka "selling her art"). I've liked, favorited, thumbs-upped, and lensrolled your masterpiece. Congrats on a great job!
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KitandCaboodle
Dec 31, 2010 @ 9:47 pm | delete
- Love your lens and your work. I'm a watercolorist also. I love the medium although when I first started out, I didn't think I would ever get used to it. It takes persistence, patience and practice.
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SmartChica
Dec 28, 2010 @ 4:59 pm | delete
- Hi - I just included a link to your "journey" lens on http://www.squidoo.com/where-to-buy-art-on-squidoo
Happy art-making!
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Craftybegonia
Dec 19, 2010 @ 4:25 pm | delete
- Nice lens! I love the sunflower!
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raphaelo
Nov 21, 2010 @ 10:46 am | delete
- A lot of useful information for art lovers. Thak you very much for creating this cool lense :)
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WildFacesGallery
Nov 19, 2010 @ 8:15 am | delete
- Really lovely work.
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Swisstoons
Oct 12, 2010 @ 11:46 pm | delete
- I think my comment about this lens ended up on your profile page. What I'd said is that your beautiful first watercolor, "Sunflower," is loaded with energy...and I wondered if you'd considered putting together a floral calendar for Zazzle. "Sunflower," together with your other floral works viewable at your website, would sure brighten up any kitchen in which it was hung.
Thumbs up!
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Kim
Jul 16, 2010 @ 10:12 pm | delete
- Wow! I started out looking for a foliage brush, and some 175 lb paper and what I found was wealth of information. Thank you for so much helpful info.
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MicheleWebber Jul 1, 2010 @ 4:22 pm | delete
- I enjoyed reading about your journey with watercolours. I teach watercolour painting, it's lovely to see someone using them in a vibrant way. Its a myth that they have to be wishy washy and drab. Thanks for sharing your story.
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OhMe Sep 11, 2009 @ 2:50 pm | delete
- You are very talented. I really need to get my watercolors out and start painting again but who has time to paint when there is so much squidooing to be done. lol
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gbenton789
Feb 12, 2009 @ 9:31 pm | delete
- Okay, your first watercolor is great, in my humble opinion. I think it's inspiring to see and would love to see your others : )
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WendyKrick Jan 14, 2009 @ 7:12 pm | delete
- I'm in awe of you. You are so very talented. I love it all!
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Stazjia
Nov 11, 2008 @ 3:48 am | delete
- Great lens sharing your journey into watercolours. As you say, they aren't easy to master. Welcome to the Art & Design Group.
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Jewelsofawe Oct 30, 2008 @ 12:19 pm | delete
- Wow! That flower is amazing! Do you have more to show?
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Mayflowerblood
Oct 30, 2008 @ 5:28 am | delete
- your first water color piece is very pretty.
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aj2008
Oct 30, 2008 @ 5:13 am | delete
- This lens makes me wish that I did more painting than I do - currently confined to bits of scenery! Now I know why you use the sunflower as your avatar in other places. Nice lens and some good links for anyone wanting to learn how to paint with watercolours. 5*s.
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NancyOram
Oct 29, 2008 @ 4:39 pm | delete
- Thanks so much for sharing your experience. It makes such a difference to hear about your process instead of just presenting lessons and supplies. I have great respect for anyone who can work with watercolors. The little painting I've done made good use of the ability to paint over mistakes!
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ArtByLinda Oct 23, 2008 @ 12:12 pm | delete
- Great lens, I love hearing your journey into watercolors. They are fun, aren't they? I love the different techniques used with them. Even though I do a lot in oils now, I still fall back to watercolors for a lot of things.
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by lakeerieartists
I am an artist, writer, and owner of Lake Erie Artists Gallery at Shaker Square in Cleveland, Ohio.
You can also find my writing on these sites:
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