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Watercolor Tips for Beginners

Jump Right In, The Water Is Fine

Don't be misled by those who tell you that watercolor is a difficult media for beginning painters. Watercolor is a great media for aspiring artists, there is a minimum of equipment needed compared to many other painting media, it is easy to set up your paints in a small area, mistakes can be corrected, there is no odor and very little mess connected with this media.

Basic Supplies:

Paper:

Don't try to save money by using inexpensive watercolor paper. You will not be able to achieve the effects you want, the paints will not flow as well as on a good grade paper, and it will be impossible to lift colors to correct mistakes without damaging the surface of the paper. I recommend Arches or
Winsor Newton papers, 140# cold press for beginners. This can be purchased through all art stores and art supply catalogs. The sheet of paper is 22"x30", if divided in half, the finished painting can be matted to 22"x28", if divided in fourths, the finished painting will mat to 16"x20", and if divided into eight sections will mat to 8"x10" painting. This paper can also be purchase in watercolor blocks, sheets of paper bound together on a pad. These pads are convenient for painting outdoors. (Papers come in other weights, 300# is thicker, doesn't buckle when wet, but is much more expensive. The surface of papers also vary according to the method of pressing the papers during manufacturing process: hot press is smooth, cold press has some texture, and rough has much more surface texture. You will want to experience painting on all textures once you have your feet wet.)

Paints:

I prefer purchasing watercolor paints in tubes rather than dry pans. There are many brands to choose from but avoid the "student" quality paints. I use Da Vinci, Winsor Newton, Van Gogh and Holbien paints. Di Vinci paints are of good quality at a reasonable price and have become my paints of choice. A basic palette of watercolors may include: Ultramarine Blue, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Thalo Blue, a true red such as Winsor Red, Alizarin Crimson, Vermillion Red, a true yellow such as Winsor Yellow or Aurolin, New Gamboge (a yellow-orange), Winsor or Thalo Green, Sap Green and earth colors, Burnt Sienna and Raw Sienna. Additions to your palette may include Permanent Rose
or Rose Madder, and Thioindigoid violet, known as Thio Violet .

Brushes:

They should be brushes specifically for watercolor to hold the necessary water and paint. They should retain their shape when wet. There are many good synthetic fiber brushes on the market. I like Golden Fleece brushes for their quality and reasonable price.

• Two flat brushes, choose a 1/2", 3/4" or 1"
• Round brushes, three or four, size 6, 12, 28, and possibly a 32
• Wash brush, 1" or larger
• Rigger or Script liner, a brush with long, thin bristles for fine lines
• Scrubber, an old oil brush would suffice for scrubbing out or lifting color
• Toothbrush, for spattering effects

Other Supplies and Tips:

• Watercolor Palette: These are usually white plastic with a lid and contain
  wells for paints as well as wells to mix colors. The price for a good palette
  will be between $7 and $20. I recommend the Cheap Joe Palette priced at $7.95
  available from Cheap Joe's Art Supply Catalog for beginning students. My
  personal palette is a Robert Woods and costs about $17. When you put your
  paints on your palette for the first time, arrange them according to color and
  temperature and use a black marking pen to write the name of the paint by each
  well until you are familiar with your palette.
• Natural sponge
• Water containers, yogurt or cottage cheese carton, cut off soda bottle. Not too
  high or will be more likely to be knocked over during painting sessions.
• Paper Towels
• Masking tape and or bulldog clips to secure paper to support
• Gatorboard , light plywood, etc. for a board to support your paper if not
  using a block of paper.
• A small hair dryer
• A large tote bag to keep your supplies together.

If you don't have local art supply stores, a very good source is Cheap Joe's' Art Stuff, prices and service are good. Their toll free number to call for a catalog is 1-800-227-2788.

The challenge of experimentation with the fluidity and liquidity of the watercolor media as well as its transparency and luminescence has made this my choice for my personal impressions of the world around me and within me. My subject matter is as varied as my painting style, sometimes I attempt to paint what I see and other times I attempt to paint about how I feel about what I am seeing.

My subjects include landscapes, buildings, florals and recently I have expanded my paintings with experimentation using abstract shapes, pouring colors and imprinting objects as well as using solar images on paper. Making art should be fun, playful and full of happiness for the artist. I create because I was created and if others enjoy what I do artistically that is just a bonus. I have been a professional artist for the past ten years, have received awards in numerous juried exhibits and have sold my artwork to numerous collectors in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Texas & Mexico. I teach workshops in experimental water media techniques as well as basic watercolor classes.

Marilyn is a contributing editor to Wetcanvas, and be reached via email at MBrown622@aol.com. For more information on Marilyn and her exciting watercolor works, visit her online studio at http://marilynbrown.artist.webjump.com/.