The pre-mixed blacks appear a bit dull and uninspiring compared to the black I mixed myself. There's just something about the personally mixed hue that adds a touch of life to it. It's subtle, but it makes a difference.

When you mix blacks you can also adjust the temperature of the colour which will add some life to your paintings. Because you are mixing colours together, you are in control of the ratios. If you want a cool black, mix more of the cool colour you are using. If you want a warm black use a bit more of the warm colour you are mixing with.

The Benefits of Using a Limited Colour Palette

The goal of using a limited palette is to achieve color harmony, simplify the decision-making process, and gain better control over the interaction of colors in a painting. You use a limited palette to create balanced, cohesive, and visually pleasing paintings.

It's important to note that a limited palette is not 'limiting'. Hazel Soan emphasises that working with a limited palette doesn't confine your creativity; instead, it sets you free. It empowers you to paint fearlessly, secure in the knowledge that your colors will harmonise effortlessly.

Ampersand Aquabord Panels for Watercolour

Painting on Aquabord offers a unique experience compared to traditional watercolour paper. Watercolour paper encourages exploration and experimentation, striking a delicate balance between control and spontaneity. The paint dances over the wet paper, producing surprising and delightful effects.

However, painting on Aquabord requires a distinct and different approach. The clay surface is absorbent and it doesn't stay wet for long. When I use it, I have to change my normal painting method.

How to simplify a reference photo to make a line drawing for a painting.

When creating drawings for watercolour paintings, you need to select and include essential information while omitting unnecessary details. Planning plays a crucial role in guiding these decisions it serves as a roadmap, allowing you to make informed decisions about what to emphasise in your line drawing.

Begin your painting process by carefully choosing your reference material, prioritising clear focal points and well-defined shapes that will translate effectively into your drawing.

Help! My watercolour paper dries too fast when I work wet on wet.

To test both of these mediums, I took two glasses and used two pipettes. In one glass, I put 5 drops of gum arabic, and in the other, I added 5 drops of ox gall. Then, I painted rectangles of each solution in my watercolour diary, alongside a rectangle using just plain water. I watched them dry, and indeed, the rectangles with the mediums mixed into the water stayed wet longer than the rectangle with plain water. However, the difference in drying time was marginal. Nevertheless, I was still hopeful that these mediums would make a difference to blending and drying times when I was painting.

How to Blend Watercolour Paint

There are a few different watercolour techniques you can use on both a wet surface, and on a dry surface.

Get yourself a 100% cotton watercolour journal and spend some time practicing all of the blending techniques I have described below.

Watercolour Techniques, Watercolour ProjectsLouise De Masi11 September 2023Techniques, Technical Guides, Tutorial, Beginner TipsComment

How to Find Your Art Style

Your personal art style refers to the unique and distinctive way in which you express yourself through your work. It is your artistic voice. It is the result of your personal preferences, experiences, influences, and creative decisions. A personal art style encompasses your individual techniques, subject matter choices, colour palette, compositional preferences, and overall visual language. It is unique to you and it's a reflection of your personality and creative identity.

12 things you can do with a wet watercolour wash

Sometimes blooms can be a problem on a painting. For example, if you were painting a clear sky you don't want a bloom to appear on the drying wash. As the drying process advances, you'll notice the paper reaches a certain point where it is no longer entirely wet but not entirely dry either. This 'drying point' is crucial in avoiding blooms. When you reach this stage, resist the urge to continue working in the same area. Instead, shift your focus to other parts of the painting that require attention. Working elsewhere during this stage helps prevent accidental blooms.

Watercolour TechniquesLouise De Masi14 August 2023Techniques, Beginner Tips Comments

Watercolour for Beginners: What you Need to Get Started

Painting in watercolour is magical! I became captivated by it in 2011, and my excitement for it has not waned since then.

With its delicate washes, amazing luminosity, and unpredictable nature, once watercolour has you in its spell there is no turning back. Every brush stroke becomes an adventure as you watch the wet paint dance over the paper. There is no other medium like it.

Getting Started, Watercolour Projects, Art SuppliesLouise De Masi20 July 2023Supplies, Beginner TipsComment

How to Mix Watercolour Paints: My Top 13 Tips

When you mix colours it’s a good idea to start with the lighter colour or the colour that has the lighter value.

For example, if you want to mix green, it’s best to start with yellow and mix blue into it gradually until you reach your desired colour, rather than the other way around where you start with blue and mix yellow into it. Blue has a darker value than yellow- it is more dominant than yellow.

Doing it this way will reduce paint wastage.

How to do the Watercolour Glazing Technique

Glazing is useful for creating depth, luminosity, and richness in a watercolor painting. By gradually layering colours, you can create subtle shifts in colour and tone, enhancing the overall vibrancy and complexity of your artwork.

You can also use watercolor glazing to increase color harmony through your painting.

Watercolour Techniques, Watercolour ProjectsLouise De Masi28 June 2023Beginner TipsComment

Watercolour Negative Painting Tutorial

It's called negative painting because it refers to the technique of painting or utilising the area of negative space around a subject. You are effectively, painting the negative spaces in order to leave the positive shapes.

Negative spaces on a painting are those empty areas that surround your subject. The positive spaces or positive shapes, are the subject itself.

9 Watercolour Texture Techniques

Visual texture in a watercolour painting refers to the illusion of different surface qualities that are created through the use of various brushstrokes, colours, and techniques. It adds depth, dimension, and interest to the artwork. Artists can use textured areas to create focal points and draw the eye to specific areas of the painting. Texture can be used to convey emotions and enhance the expressive qualities of a watercolour painting.

Watercolour Techniques, Watercolour ProjectsLouise De Masi31 May 2023Beginner TipsComment

How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated as an Artist

The key message I took away after reading Atomic Habits by James Clear is that by harnessing the power of tiny habits, we can transform our lives and achieve extraordinary results. If we implement small, consistent changes in our habits and focus on the process rather than the outcome, we can make remarkable progress and achieve long-term success.

MotivationalLouise De Masi24 May 2023Beginner Tips Comments

A Watercolour Technique for Beginners Called ‘Charging’

Charging can be used to create interesting textures and visual effects in watercolour paintings. By manipulating the wet paint or water, you can create patterns, ripples, and organic shapes, adding depth and visual interest to your artwork.

When I paint initial washes on a subject I like to add interest by dropping in another unexpected colour as I did here on this Rooster painting.

What is Dry Brushing in Watercolour?

The dry brush technique is an expressive way to paint. So when you use it, you need to let go of your inhibitions and relax…..just breathe. It produces a random effect that you can’t really control.

It's not an easy technique to do, and it requires practice.

Watercolour TechniquesLouise De Masi18 May 2023Beginner Tips Comments

What is the difference between a watercolour block and a watercolour pad?

I find painting on watercolour blocks to be a frustrating process. Despite my best efforts, I often end up with puckered paper and the resulting hills and valleys make for an unpleasant painting experience. I paint with a lot of water though, so maybe if you paint with a drier painting process you might find them suitable to paint on.

Watercolour Projects, Art SuppliesLouise De Masi8 May 2023Beginner TipsComment

The Eradicator Brush

This brush is perfect for creating highlights on a watercolour painting after the paint has dried.

It’s a flat, stubby brush with stiff bristles. It’s stiff enough to remove the dry paint but soft enough to not damage the paper.

Watercolour Tips

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