How to Transfer a Drawing to Watercolor Paper
Materials Needed
The first method only requires supplies from the Watercolor Jumpstart Suggested Supply list. It’s the method I use most often for small drawings, and the method we use when I teach this class in person.
If you wind up doing a lot of transferring, you may want to investigate the other two methods demonstrated in this video.
for Graphite Self-Transfer Method (used in this course):
- the drawing you want to transfer
- a graphite pencil (2B or softer works best, and a woodless pencil makes the process faster)
- a ballpoint or rollerball pen (you can use a pencil, but a pen works better)
for Graphite Transfer Paper Method:
- the drawing you want to transfer
- a sheet of graphite transfer paper (sold in art supply stores), NOT carbon paper, which is wax-based
- a ballpoint or rollerball pen (again, you can use a pencil, but a pen works better)
for the Acetate Method:
- the drawing you want to transfer
- a piece of clear acetate (sold in art supply stores)
- a Sharpie marker (or other marker that will write on the acetate without beading up)
- a sunny window and some masking tape OR a lightbox
- a pencil
NOTE: It is possible to make your own graphite transfer paper. There are a variety of methods, which you can easily find with a quick search online. No need to reinvent the wheel here. 🙂
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