Thursday, February 6, 2014

Tips And Techniques For Abstract Watercolor Painting Success

By Jayne Rutledge


As an aspiring abstract watercolor painting artist, there are a number of tips and techniques that can help you get started. This kind of art can be massively satisfying for artists, but it can also present its challenges. For more satisfying results, follow some of the tips below and mix them with your own experimentation and exploration of style.

Getting prepared to work with watercolors is a very simple act. Mixing the paints is as easy as adding a couple of drops of water to the palette and combining it. Getting the right consistency can take a little trial and error, but it can be remedied by working with the liquid to paint ratio.

One of the first things you need to realize when using it is that it will always dry a lighter color than what it appears when you are applying the brushstrokes. It might take a little bit of trial and error in order to work out how to mix the colors to your liking. If you are finding that your canvases are drying too light, then you will need to play around with the paint to water ratio that you are using.

Regardless of whether you are working in light or dark shades, this kind of paint is always translucent. There is no doubt that it can look amazing, but it can also be challenging for the artist as it is difficult to mask any errors. It is possible to paint over the top of an error, but there is a real risk of having the work underneath show through. This is one of the aspects of using this kind of paint that you will have to experiment with.

There are a lot of artists who recommend planning out your piece carefully. Often the best way to do this is to produce a sketch of your planned artwork prior to working with the actual medium. This can help you to tweak the design and reduce the chance of errors, which are more difficult to undo when working with this style of painting.

It is generally a good idea not to mix too many colors into the picture. This is especially true when you are new to this medium since mixing colors can be a challenge when using watercolors. As you get more accustomed to the manner in which they blend you may be able to introduce more than three to a painting. Generally, at least for new artists. More than three colors can make the canvas look muddy.

The quality of your materials is very important when you are experimenting with this style. You can economize on paper or paints, but high quality brushes are essential. Cheaper bristles will often come loose as you paint and stick to the paper. This can be very frustrating as it can ruin a picture.

Abstract watercolor painting is an excellent style to try when you are beginning because it is less obvious when an error is made. As you become more skilled with the style and more experienced with the challenges that come with watercolors, you can expand your repertoire and try more realistic subjects. This kind of art can be challenging, but incredibly rewarding as well. By experimenting and applying some of the above advice, you will develop your own style and begin to get good results.




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