Tips and Techniques Plus "This and That"

TECHNIQUES:

Watercolor:

Wet into Wet
When applying color/colors onto an already wet surface the effect will soften, blend, and gradate. The colors will dry lighter due to the water on the surface diluting with the “colored water." If you want to maintain rich color you need to add more pigment with a juicier consistency or a thicker application.

Wash/Glaze
More water than pigment: light in value/Transparent

Juicy Mixture
Approximately equal amounts of pigment and water: rich in color, soupy consistency versus watery.

For the beginner painter, use good quality artist paper and professional artist paints. Both the paper and paint will further enhance your artistic renderings.

I use #140 Winsor & Newton Paper. It does all that I need. It lifts paints. With minimal buckle (or not at all) when saturated with water.  No need to tape or staple to a board. Colors blend easily.

I use Holbein Professional watercolor paints with a limited palette. The colors are transparent and vibrant.

Watercolor Canvas
A fun try! Use watercolors and acrylic paints! Fredrix Watercolor Artist Canvas is guaranteed to be 100% Archival Quality. Has  the flexibility of lifting and layering.

Abbozzo:

The underpainting of an oil painting, either in monochrome or color. Sometimes called Bozzo or Dead-coloring.

Advancing colour
A strong, usually unadulterated color, which appears to advance to the front of a picture/painting. Warm colors (e.g., red) advance, cool colors (e.g., blue) tend to recede.

I am currently working with Holbein ‘s Aqua oil colors, eliminating the need for Turpentine... So far so good. The oils in the “Gallery” are mostly done with the water-based oils. They are totally professional and archival. Let you know more later!

Claudette