Let's #leaf boring watercolor painting behind & branch out easy techniques!

Watercolor painting: it's as easy as taking a #walk in the park but with a #paintbrush in hand.

🎨 Easy Watercolor Painting for Beginners: what you will need and the final result 🌿

This is a watercolor painting tutorial for beginners interested in experimenting with new and easy #paintingtechniques.

I will walk you through the wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, charging techniques, and stamping/marking marks.

You will find the detailed List of Material used in this video here.

Watercolor painting is a fascinating medium that allows artists to create stunning effects.

There are three basic techniques: wet on wet, wet on dry, and dry on dry.

I will walk you through the wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry.

Let's start with the first, known for its ability to produce soft blends, delicate washes, and spontaneous textures.

What is the Wet-on-Wet Technique?

As the name suggests, the wet-on-wet technique involves applying wet paint onto a wet paper surface, allowing a more fluid and unpredictable blending of colors, resulting in beautiful gradients and harmonious transitions. By keeping the paper moist, the pigments diffuse and interact in captivating ways, giving watercolor paintings a distinct and captivating look.

Advantages of the Wet-on-Wet Technique:

1. Soft and Seamless Blending: The wet-on-wet technique enables artists to achieve smooth and seamless transitions between colors, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere in their #paintings.

2. Expressive and Serendipitous Effects: The unpredictable nature of wet-on-wet painting allows for spontaneous textures and happy accidents that can add an element of surprise and uniqueness to your artwork.

3. Time Efficiency: Working with the #wetonwet technique allows you to cover large areas quickly and efficiently, making it an ideal choice for creating loose and impressionistic paintings.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Wet-on-Wet Watercolor:

1. Wetting the Paper: Moisten the paper surface evenly using a clean brush or spray bottle before applying the paint. Be careful not to oversaturate the paper, as it may lead to excessive bleeding or loss of control. (Reuse your beauty or cleaning packaging)

2. Applying the Paint: With a wet brush, pick up the desired color and gently touch it to the wet paper. Allow the colors to flow and mingle naturally, guiding the paint with brush strokes and tilting the paper if needed.

3. Experimenting with Techniques: Explore different wet-on-wet techniques, such as lifting off paint with a damp brush, dropping in additional colors while the surface is still wet, or creating textures with salt or alcohol sprays. (Check the video for examples.)

What is the Wet-on-Dry Technique?

The second technique is the #wetondry method, which involves applying wet paint onto a dry paper surface. This technique allows for precise control over details, crisp edges, and vibrant colors.

Advantages of the Wet-on-Dry Technique:

1. Controlled Details: Unlike the wet-on-wet technique, wet-on-dry allows for precise and controlled brushwork, making it ideal for creating intricate details and sharp lines in your watercolor paintings.

2. Layering and Glazing: With the wet-on-dry technique, you can layer multiple washes and glazes, allowing the colors to build up gradually and create rich, luminous effects.

3. Crisp Edges and Defined Forms: By painting on a dry surface, you can achieve clean and crisp edges, precisely defining the shapes and forms in your artwork.

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Wet-on-Dry Technique:

1. Wet Your Brushes: Moisten your brushes slightly with clean water. Ensure that they are not dripping wet, as excess water can dilute the paint and affect its vibrancy.

2. Load the Brush: Dip the tip of your brush into the desired color, making sure to load an adequate amount of paint onto the bristles. Remove any excess paint by gently tapping the brush against the palette's edge.

3. Apply the Paint: With deliberate and controlled brushstrokes, apply the wet paint onto the dry paper surface. Start from the lightest areas and gradually work towards the darker areas, layering washes as needed.

4. Allow Drying Time: Let each layer of paint dry completely before adding subsequent layers or details. Patience is key to achieving crisp edges and vibrant colors in your watercolor paintings.

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Helpful Tips for Mastering Both Techniques:

1. Choose the Right Paper: Opt for watercolor papers. These papers are generally heavier and can withstand extra moisture without buckling or warping. (I use 300gsm - cold press.)

2. Preparing Your Palette: Ensure that you have a well-prepared palette with an assortment of watercolors. Use a spray bottle or a wet sponge to keep the paints moist throughout your painting session. (If you are a beginner, limit yourself and start by using two to three different colors only.)

3. Sketch and Plan: Some prefer to sketch out the composition lightly with a pencil before starting painting. Plan the areas where you will apply the wet paint, keeping the desired details and focal points in mind.

4. Experiment with Brush Techniques: Explore different brush techniques, such as dry brushing, stippling, and glazing, to add texture and depth to your artwork.

5. Use Masking Fluid: Masking fluid can be applied to preserve areas of the paper and create highlights. Ensure the paint is completely dry before applying masking fluid, and remove it once the painting is complete.

6. Practice Color Mixing: Familiarize yourself with color theory and practice mixing different hues to create a wide range of vibrant and harmonious colors.

7. Embrace Mistakes: Mistakes are a natural part of the creative process. Instead of getting discouraged, learn from them and use them as opportunities to grow and experiment. (It's not like you're going to take a baccalaureate test or exam. 😉)

Final Result 😊

In conclusion:

The wet-on-wet technique is a versatile and captivating method that can bring a sense of fluidity and spontaneity to your watercolor paintings. Through its soft blending and unpredictable nature, this technique opens up endless possibilities for creating beautiful, atmospheric, and expressive artworks. By experimenting with various approaches and practicing patience, you'll be able to unlock the full potential of the wet-on-wet technique and elevate your watercolor painting skills to new heights.

The wet-on-dry technique offers artists a controlled and precise approach to their paintings. With its ability to create sharp edges, defined details, and layered effects, this technique is valuable in every watercolor artist's repertoire.

So grab your brushes, dive into the world of watercolor, and let your creativity flow on your paper's more or less moist surface! Above all, have fun!

🤓 Let me know in the comment if you have any questions or suggestions for future videos.

🎨 Feel welcome to share with me some of your #watercolorpainting.