Secret weapons...


    So many people have asked me "how" I make my watercolors
    that I've decided to make a nice and long post about it
    and share it with all of you.
    My "secrets" to nice & bright watercolor paintings:

    ::WATERCOLORS::
    I buy Cotman Watercolors in a tube by Windsor & Newton.

    These are the 12 colors I use
    (I buy them separately, not in a set):

    -Turquoise 654
    -Cobalt Blue Hue 179
    -Prussian Blue 538
    -Indigo 322
    -Permanent Rose 502
    -Cadmium Red Hue 095
    -Cadmium Orange 089
    -Cadmium Yellow Pale Hue 119
    -Yellow Ochre 744
    -Burnt Umber 076
    -Ivory Black 331
    -Chinese White 150

    ::PAPER::
    -Acquarello Watercolor Artistico Extra White
    (extra white makes colors look brighter)
    100% Cotton (Grana Satinada, Hot pressed) by Fabriano
    You can buy it here.
    or
    Aquarelle Fontenay 100% Cotton
    (Fine Grain, Cold Pressed) By Canson.

    I buy these in blocks because
    I like the fact that the block is glued
    on 4 sides and it prevents the paper from warping
    from the humidity of the watercolor.
    It does warp a little but if you let it dry completely
    on the block before ripping the page out
    it straightens back again perfectly.

    ::HOW::
    First, I sketch, then when I'm happy with my design
    I draw it with a very sharp extra hard pencil (a 6H usually)
    directly on my watercolor paper.

    I keep my watercolors
    on a plastic palette like the one shown above.

    Then I start to color in the lines with my watercolors.
    I use synthetic round pointed brushes, these are
    really good.

    I never took a watercolor class...
    I'm pretty sure that helped me develop
    my own style of painting.
    I'm totally enamored with this medium.
    I also paint with oils but watercolors are my favorite
    and what I'm most comfortable with.

    My collages are made with my own images,
    usually discarted watercolors
    that I cut up and paste or old journal pages.
    (yes, I do actually cut them up)

    Hope this helps anyone
    that wants to give watercolors a try
    & inspires you to get creative!
    Thank you for all your lovely comments on my work,
    it's really a pleasure to share it with you guys :o)
    Oh!, the illo I made for this post was made with ink,
    watercolors and a photo
    of my trusty palette.
    Source URL: http://lifestyleartsblogs.blogspot.com/2007/03/secret-weapons.html
    Visit Lifestyle Arts for daily updated images of art collection

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