How to Make a Painting Support Board
Note: This support is a lightweight board only suitable for taping down small sheets of paper, not for stretching paper. If you have already learned how to stretch watercolor paper, feel free to keep using that method and whatever support you normally use. Stretching paper gives a better result, but I’ve designed this course so you can get away without stretching the paper. I’ve found most people just want to get started painting!
You will need:
a piece of corrugated cardboard at least 1″ larger in each direction than the paper you intend to paint on
roll of clear packing tape
scissors or knife for cutting tape
Course Content
Getting Started
- Gqthering Your Supplies
- How to Tear Large Sheets of Watercolor Paper
- How to Properly Rinse and Care for Your Brushes
- How to Make a Painting Support Board
- How to Remove Masking Tape Without Tearing Your Paper
- How to Set Up Your Workspace
Project 1 — Spring Chickadee
- Project 1 Overview
- How to Transfer a Drawing to Watercolor Paper
- How to Make and Apply Vibrant, Juicy Color
- Exploring Brushmarks
- The Mechanics of Mixing Watercolors
- How to Spatter Watercolor Paint
- Project Lesson — Spring Chickadee
Project 2 — Marbles in the Sun
- Project 2 Overview
- Achieving Soft Edges in Watercolor
- Introduction to Shadows and Highlights
- Project Lesson — Marbles in the Sun
Project 3 — Rainbow Rose Window
Project 4 — Dawn and Dusk at the Lake
- Project 4 Overview
- Laying Flat and Graduated Washes
- Glazing Over a Previous Wash
- Five Techniques for Trees in Watercolor
- Project Lesson — Dawn and Dusk at the Lake
Project 5 — Daisies in a Jar
- Project 5 Overview
- Reserving Whites and Lights, Part 1 — Intentional Blooms
- Reserving Whites and Lights, Part 2 — Lifting Wet and Dry Paint
- Reserving Whites and Lights, Part 3 — Negative Painting
- Reserving Whites and Lights, Part 4 — Using Resists
- Project Lesson — Daisies in a Jar