Project 1 — Spring Chickadee
What Will I Learn?
In this project, you’ll learn how to
- mix watercolor paint to the correct consistency
- mix two colors together in a controlled, consistent way
- explore the various marks your brushes can make
- use brushmarks to build an image (instead of the “coloring book approach” of filling in a drawing)
Suggesting something with a few quick brush marks is one of the hallmarks of watercolor painting. It takes practice, but pays big dividends, especially if you aspire to paint on location.
Supplies you will need:
- supplies listed in the Required Materials list for Watercolor Jumpstart, set up and ready to paint
- pencil and kneaded eraser
- woodless pencil or graphite stick (optional, but handy) or a regular pencil
- a 1/16th sheet (approx. 5 1/2 x 7 1/2″, 14 x 19 cm) sheet of watercolor paper for the project (a bit smaller or larger is fine—use your printer to scale the template up or down in size)
- at least five 1/16th sheets of watercolor paper for the project lessons (a bit smaller or larger is fine)
- several scrap pieces of watercolor paper for testing and practicing colors and brushstrokes (if you are just starting out you may not have any scraps yet; as you go along save all your exercise and practice sheets and use the backs for testing and practicing)
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