Project 3 — Rainbow Rose Window
What Will I Learn?
- basics of color theory
- how to blend colors within a shape
- how to mix the complement of a color
- how to mix semi-neutral colors (browns and grays)
Then you’ll explore the range of colors you can mix with a particular red, yellow and blue watercolor. The exercise example was created with the colors recommended for Watercolor Jumpstart, but it’s a great exercise to try with other pigments, too.
Don’t try to match the example exercise. It might not even be possible, and that’s not the point. The goal is to learn more about your pigments by systematically exploring the possible combinations for whatever red, yellow and blue you are using for the exercise.
Project Prerequisites:
- all lessons in the Getting Started module
- How to Transfer a Drawing from Project 1 (Spring Chickadee)
- How to Make and Apply Vibrant, Juicy Color from Project 1 (Spring Chickadee)
- Mechanics of Mixing from Project 1 (Spring Chickadee)
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 7 1/2 x 7 1/2″ sheet of watercolor paper (or slightly larger) for the project, taped to your support board
- a 1/16th (5 1/2 x 7 1/2″) sheet of watercolor paper for the project lesson
- several scrap pieces of watercolor paper for testing and practicing colors and brushstrokes (if you are just starting out you may not have any such “scraps” yet; but as you go along save all your exercise and practice sheets and use the backs as your “test sheets”)
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