Paint Outdoors: Embracing Plein Air Painting in Watercolour

If you’ve never painted plein air before, start simple. Focus on capturing the essence of your subject rather than getting bogged down in intricate details. One of the greatest advantages of painting plein air with watercolour is that it encourages quick, efficient work, pushing you to simplify your subject and focus on the essence rather than getting lost in the details. This approach not only sharpens your observational skills but also helps you develop a more intuitive and spontaneous style, capturing the mood and energy of the scene with greater authenticity.

25 Unique Watercolour Painting Techniques

The wet-on-wet technique is all about letting go and embracing the unpredictability of watercolour. Start by thoroughly wetting your paper with clean water. Next, load your brush with pigment and apply it to the wet surface. Watch as the colours blend and flow into each other on the wet paper, creating soft, organic transitions.

This technique is perfect for painting dreamy skies, misty landscapes, and soft backgrounds where you want the colors to meld seamlessly. It's like watching magic unfold on your paper, as the water guides the paint in beautiful, unexpected ways.

Watercolour How to, Getting StartedLouise De Masi14 August 2024Technical Guides, TechniquesComment

Watercolour Painting Steps

Many beginners fall into the trap of overthinking their paintings. Instead of letting go of the outcome and allowing themselves to be creative and have fun, they become tense and try to analyse every detail. This overuse of the left analytical brain can stifle creativity, overshadowing the intuitive and spontaneous process that is essential in watercolour painting. Finding a balance between analytical thinking and creative expression is key to enjoying the artistic journey and achieving satisfying results.

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Painting Glass in Watercolour

This still life watercolour painting holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my nanna. She used to gather fallen camellias from her garden and place them in a beautiful glass bowl filled with water, letting them float gracefully in the centre of the table.

I have a camellia tree, and as I was taking photos of the blossoms to use as painting references, one of them fell to the ground. This instantly brought back memories of what my nanna used to do, inspiring me to create this painting.

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How to Make Grey Watercolour: Mastering the Art of Mixing Greys

Understanding the temperature of the colour grey is crucial in painting as it directly influences the mood, atmosphere, and overall aesthetic of the artwork.

The temperature of greys can evoke specific emotions and set the tone of the painting. Warm greys, with hints of red, orange, or yellow, often create a sense of warmth, intimacy, and comfort. They can be used to convey feelings of coziness or nostalgia, making them ideal for depicting sunny interiors, cozy firesides, or intimate gatherings.

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How to Safely Ship a Painting: A Guide for Watercolour Artworks

When you ship artwork, opt for reputable shipping services that offer tracking and insurance. Shipping companies specialising in artwork handling are ideal. Tracking ensures you can monitor the shipment, and insurance provides peace of mind in case of any unforeseen issues. Use consolidated freight for efficient shipping. Consolidated freight shipping services are always provided by licensed and insured shipping companies.

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Exploring Daniel Smith Watercolour: Rose of Ultramarine: A Watercolour Gem

In the world of watercolour painting, the choice of pigments can significantly impact the final artwork. Daniel Smith paints, known for their Extra Fine Watercolours and Watercolour & Gouache products, offer a wide range of high-quality pigments. One of my old favourites is Daniel Smith’s Rose of Ultramarine, a unique blend that has brought my rose painting to life. In this post, I’ll share insights about this exquisite colour, its composition, and why it can be advantageous for artists to use premixed colours like this one.

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How to Create or Avoid Watercolour Blooms

When your paint no longer offers the sheen of freshness, it's time to step back and let the canvas breathe. Embrace this moment of stillness, allowing the paint to dry completely before introducing more pigment. This necessitates a swifter approach to your strokes - often a leap for watercolour beginners, who tend to meticulously shape their washes, giving time for the edges to start setting.

How to Paint Hard and Soft Edges in Watercolour

There are two effective methods to achieve soft edges in watercolour painting. The first is the wet-on-wet technique, where you are applying paint to wet paper. This method allows the paint to spread across the moist surface, naturally creating a soft edge as it disperses. You can apply this technique to paper that's visibly wet and shiny or to paper that's merely damp, after the initial sheen has faded.

Watercolour How to, Watercolour TechniquesLouise De Masi10 May 2024TechniquesComment

How to Identify and Use Warm and Cool Colours in Watercolour

Many beginners find colour wheels confusing and not very intuitive. Instead, I recommend a more straightforward approach and easy trick: utilising the online resources of reputable paint manufacturers like Winsor and Newton, Daniel Smith, or Schmincke. These companies organise their colours not just by hue but by temperature, which can be immensely helpful.

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Watercolour Tips

Watercolour tips and techniques to help you improve your painting skills.