Yesterday I started a watercolor paper exercise on the benefits of quality watercolor paper. I was really liking how the sky turned out, so I was anxious to pick it up and work on it today.
It is in the 80’s here, so why not paint a cool and snowy scene!
Happy painting everybody!
Denise
When beginning to paint in watercolor you might be limited by choices of watercolor supplies available to you, or be overwhelmed by the choices depending on where you shop or live (I’m speaking from experience here).
Early on I got some great advice from a talented watercolor instructor to use the best supplies that I could afford.
I did a great job on my paints and brushes, however, I needed to do some adjusting on my paper. I’m so glad I did!
For my watercolor paper when I first started I went to my local craft supply store and picked up a packet of 140 lb cold pressed watercolor paper. I have tried two different brands over the years just to compare quality.
Paper, paper, paper
If I had to give a tip for watercolor painting it would be choose your paper wisely.
Followed closely by your paints, brushes, etc. I just had to add that. They are so important too in quality. I couldn’t help myself. Sigh.
My all time favorite paper to paint on is Fabriano 300 lb cold pressed. I’ve painted on their 140 and 300 lb. I still prefer the 300 lb the best.
I started a little painting exercise this afternoon on both a store brand 140 lb paper and my favorite 300 lb paper. I used the same paint colors, washes, and method of laying down the paint. I wanted you to see how just using the different quality of paper can change the overall painting. I won’t be finishing the store paper one btw. 🙂
Painting in watercolor is exciting and surprising when the color moves and travels across the paper the way it is supposed to. If you are having trouble or maybe wondering about a painting, take a look at your supplies. Especially your watercolor paper. Maybe you might want to try a new one!
I’m always looking at what other artists are doing and what paints and supplies they use. That’s what sparks the creative juices!
What tip would you give someone starting out in watercolor? Or, if you are just starting, what is something that you are wondering about?
Comment below on the blog, or if you are following me on Facebook, add a comment there!
Thanks for stopping by!
Denise
Had fun experimenting with this last painting. Learned a few things that I will try again, and also realized that I am tied in many ways to some particular ways of doing things.
For the most part I was able to keep painting with larger brushes in a loose manner. Out of habit I did pick up some small brushes, however, I sort of forced myself to go back to the larger ones as this was an exercise to try new things.
Usually I tape my watercolor paper around the edges to hold it to the board, however, this time I tried something different. I had watched how another watercolor artist taped their paper on the backside in a way to prevent buckling and as a means to paint to the edge of the paper. This worked well, and I may use this on different occasions, depending on the painting.
Since I had been painting on the smaller scale, this painting was painted on a half sheet of watercolor paper to again do something different. What I did not think about prior to painting however, was how I was going to finish it.
Originally, I was thinking of applying the watercolor to a canvas board and then finishing it. I’ll have to leave that for another painting, as this half sheet is 15 x 22 overall, and will not work for either 16×20 or 11×14. These are the things you learn. I’ll keep thinking about options though.
My usual habit of sitting with a painting and mulling over it prevailed. I’m not sure how many times I went back and painted a few layers of colors over different areas in different days. Some days I would be out for a walk and see a certain color in foliage and think, that is the color I need to add in that particular area. Or, I’d walk by the painting and think I need to darken a shadow here or there. I debated things in my head, or out loud to the cats if I’m being honest. 🙂 In the end, you need to decide if you are happy with the journey the painting has taken you and put the brush down and enjoy the results.
Here it is, ready to come off the board.
Happy painting everyone!
A little sprucing up and reorganizing on the blog and across social media sites was on the agenda the last few days.
I’m pleased to announce the opening of DSJonesStudio Etsy Shop.
Right now there are signed prints available in the shop.
You’ll find the newest series Sweet Smell of Memories – Proverbs 27:9 there. Being in the company of our loved ones, our friends, our besties. Inhaling the sweet smell of a favorite scent…all these bring joy to my heart and can invoke sweet memories. These memories are what inspired the five paintings in the series.
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” Proverbs 27:9
Sweet Smell of Memories Prov. 27:9
I’ll be adding some original paintings to the shop along with the prints, however, I thought I’d give you a sneak peak.
All this computer work, phew! I’m anxious to get back to painting! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Denise
We have been living in our new house for a few months now and are enjoying being settled in.
The front room has turned out to be a great room for my painting studio. The sunlight dances in through the front windows and bounces off my work area and all around the room. It makes for an enjoyable place to paint!
Both Toaster and Ellie (our rescue tabbies) enjoy being there with me. They can be found either sitting on the windowsill, an adjoining chair, on my work area; or if one is feeling feisty trying to steal paint brushes or drinking paint water. Cough, cough, Toaster.
I’ve been busy painting and posting to Instagram and Facebook, but realized I was remiss in updating my blog. My apologies.
So here is our Ellie Bellie that I’ve recently painted in watercolor.
Thanks for stopping by!
Portrait of some very loved grandchildren!
Kota definitely has his own personality. Commission finished.
This guy has been waiting to be finished while I’ve been working on some other projects. He is almost finished though, this is where he is now. Just waiting on some shadowing work next. Time to get busy.
Starting a new commission of a sweet bulldog named Kota! Please stop by my Facebook page and see the sketch from the beginning, along with Kota’s current progress and other projects I’m working on.
See the Facebook link at the left of this page and join my Facebook followers. Thanks for visiting!
DS Jones Studio 