Trees - Dry
brush, sponging, stippling, blowing and using a rigger brush.
Water - Resist
techniques, using cling film, gum arabic and scratching out
Step by step lessons
The following lessons will take you through the basic techniques of watercolour painting.
In all cases I am working on 72lb Bockingford paper which has been previously stretched with Winsor and Newton artist quality paint from pans. You will find that using different paper and paints that your results will be slightly different.
Before you begin each painting you will need to prepare your paper. Some paper is sold in blocks which are glued almost completely round. With this surface you can begin straight away as the block forms a stiff board to work on.
Any paper below 140lb(295gsm) should be stretched before painting. To do this soak your paper for a minute or so in clean water, allow the excess to drain off and place on a flat stiff board slightly larger than your paper. Gently remove any more excess water with kitchen towel making sure there are no pockets of air trapped below the paper. Now stick the paper to the board using pre-gummed tape and allow to dry thoroughly.
If your paper is above this weight you can stick it to your working board with masking tape without the need to soak with water.
If you attempt to paint on paper that is not secure and flat, as soon as it is wet it will bubble and warp, the wet paint will collect in pools and dry unevenly.
The lessons
Trees - Dry
brush, sponging, stippling, blowing and using a rigger brush.
Water - Resist
techniques, using cling film, gum arabic and scratching out
Copyright Jane Grainger 2004
