Lesson 1: LET'S VALUE OUR PAINTING

Values are the foundation of good painting. Create a value scale; this can assist your judgement in relative values within your subject.

Note: A value scale is made up of mixtures of colours, progressing from light to dark.

• Lighter tones:
• Lighter values.
• Darker tones:
• Darker values.

These can be achieved by gradation of colours.

List of colours. Burnt Sienna. Hookers Green. Cerulean Blue. Alizarin Crimson. Cadmium Orange. Vermilion. Thalo Blue. Cadmium Yellow. Raw Sienna. Viridian. Thalo Green. Ultramarine Blue. Naples yellow. Payne’s grey. Mauve. Prussian Blue. Burnt Umber. Yellow Ochre. Cadmium Red. Green Blue.

Colour Wheel: RED. YELLOW. BLUE.

Complimentary: GREEN. VIOLET. ORANGE

Different effects are obtained by mixing complimentary colours when wet; then applying one colour over another when dry. Experiment and try.

High key: A painting with many whites.

Low key: More darks.

Cooler colours in the shadow. Warm colour where the light hits occasionally. Overlap these colours.

Wet in wet.

After the sketching, thoroughly wet the paper. Allow the colour to float into certain areas. When dry; the colour can be applied to the subject matter. The darker background is the last application. Note: Pencil lines can be erased after the painting is completely dried.

PLAN YOUR PAINTING

Click to enlarge.

PAPER: I recommend that you become familiar with different textures of paper. There are many brands to choose from, and often the choice is personal.

Note: It is a good idea to have some rough, medium and smooth papers on hand.

Brushes: Good quality brushes are essential. They are the most important tool to render your washes and blending of colour and strokes. Your brushes will last and last, provided you take care of them, and thoroughly clean all paint particles after use.

Note: Never leave your brush standing bristle down in a container of water.

Materials:

• Paper and Water containers.
• Board to tape paper to.
• Masking tape to adhere the paper to a board.

  Brushes:

  • At least 1 large square shader.
  • Soft sables or nylon brushes:Nos.18-16-12-8-3
  • A soft lead pencil: HB.
  • Soft rubber.
  • A collection of Aquarel Watercolour pencils.
  • Masking fluid.
  • A porcelain palette dish.
  • Paper towels.
  • Water Colour Medium (not a must but a suggestion.)

    ---

    Versatility of watercolour. Techniques are many and varied where watercolour is concerned. It is through experiment that you will find your comfort zone.

    It is important to communicate emotion in your paintings by brush strokes and colour combinations. Watercolour is as revealing a medium as it is transparent. If errors appear to be too revealing it is better to start again than make changes.

    Click to enlarge.

    Note: It is almost impossible to paint a replica of a watercolour. That is what makes it an intriguing medium.. There is a mystery involved: as each painting is new, unique and special.

    ---

    NOTE: Always keep your colour chart handy for easy reference

    Let's create some Special Effects........

    
    
    

    1  2  3  4   

    Print this page