Winter 2018 Watercolor class

Watercolor: Sky, Water and Rocks - Putting it All Together
                    Week 1

Now that we have gone over some of the basics or skies, water and rocks we are going to put them all together to paint the photo I took from Pelican Cove. It is a simple image and if we break it down in stages it will be easy. Watercolor requires patience and that is where most beginners have their problems so step by step, no shortcuts.

First step was to get the sketch of the rocks and horizon line on my paper. Use a pencil that is dark enough to see without you pressing down too hard on the paper such as either a #2B or #3B. You want your sketch dark enough to see after a couple of washes but not so dark that it is noticeable when your painting is finished.

Next, I used a masking fluid on dry paper to protect the white tops of the rocks. Then I wet the paper along the top coast line where the foam would be then used the masking fluid in that area letting the masking fuzz out along the edges. Be sure to use enough masking to cover the area, too little and it may not protect the paper or be difficult to get off. I repeated that process along the bottom of the foreground rocks. 

Then I let it dry completely before working in that area.

While I was waiting for the masking to dry, I added my sky. 

First I wet the sky area with water then added ultramarine blue across the top and helped it down the page with a damp clean brush, just like we did in the studies.

I then turned the paper upside down and added a line of some orange/red I had on my palette and let that run down into the blue. Remember that your paper needs to be wet for this to work and watch it as it blends and moves, turning as necessary to get the blend you want. Lay it flat when you like the blend and let it dry.

When the masking was dry around the rocks, I under painted the rocks with a light wast of yellow, orange, sienna and touches of blue. starting with the yellow and oranges along the top or the rocks or where the rocks were dry on the shore, the sienna and blue were where the rocks were wet and darker. You can work wet into wet by first wetting the area or wet as you go with the paint (wet on dry). Let this dry.

The last thing we did for the day was to get our first wash of color for the water and this will work best if you dampen the paper with water first. Use a big brush to wet you paper and even when adding the color to this step because you want to work quickly enough to get the colors on while the paper is wet. Put away your tiny brushes for now.

While your paper is wet, I started at the horizon with my ultramarine blue and as I moved down the paper I added greens, lavenders and if you have other blues like cobalt, thalo or cerulean, you can add those as well just be sure that you water them down so they aren't too intense or dark. Streak them on and let the water on the paper and gravity do most of the work (you should have the top of your paper elevated anyway). Paint right over the masked area to be sure that you are getting the washes everywhere where it should be. then let it dry.

This is where we stopped for the day, we will continue with this painting next time. Keep painting and I will see you in class.