The WC! Watercolor Handbook

[llis]

Introduction and Dedication: This handbook is being created even as you read this introduction. As a matter of fact, it will never be completed; it is a work in progress (WIP). Rod Webb, our moderator from 1999 until May of 2004, started this collection of threads many of which were written by our very own WC! watercolorists. We continue it in his name today.

If you would like to help with the Handbook, select a category and let us know. Then research it by finding old threads that cover the topic and possibly add your own summary gleaned from the threads and your own knowledge. Each summary and the list of threads found will be listed under the category chosen, and your name will be listed as a contributor.

The following categories are just the bones. As we move along, we will add more as suggested by you. Enjoy!

Glossary of Watercolor Terms by Char M

*Watercolor Books and Videos*

Watercolor Book and Video Reviews

Watercolor Books Recommendations

Watercolor Book Reviews

Color

Color: An overview by Pam Peters (Pampe)

Lightfast Color Mixes by annie.nz

Color Mixing by Arnold Lowrey

Color Mixing by Carol (FriendCarol)

Color Schemes by Deb Leger

Color Theory and Mixing by Art School Online

Favorite Colors Online Colour Mixer

A Journey Through Color Schemes by Mike McAloon

The Final Journey — Color Contrasts by Mike McAloon

Making a Color Chart of Your Paints by Sylvia (painterbear)

Making a Chart of Your Paints — Revisited by Sylvia (painterbear)

Sorting and Charting Your Paints by Maggie Lathem

*Setting up a Palette*

Color Choices for Palettes

Colors and Paint Suggestions for Beginners

Materials Beginners Need to Get Started

Watercolor Equipment and Tools by Christie Zwick

Watercolor Tips for Beginners by Marilyn Brown

Limited Range of Colors Palette

Painting with a Limited Palette by Ellen Fountain

Split Primary Color Mixing System

*Blues and Purples*

Choosing a Blue

Cobalt Violet and Other Violets

Manganese Blue — Warm or Cool?

Those Pthalos — Blue and Green

*Darks*

Blacks — Mixing Them

Darks — Favorite Combos or Paints

Darks — Mixing Colorful Ones

To Go Black or Not?

Tsk! Tsk! I Used Black by Uschi

*Earth Tones*

Favorite Earth Tones

Raw Umber

*Greens*

Favorite Greens

Greens by Lynda Coles

The Green Scene — KIUAN Class

Mixed Greens vs Tube Greens

Premixing Greens for a Painting by Lynda Coles

Some Fun Greens

Veridian Green Is Good For...

Which Brand of Sap Green Do You Like?

*Reds*

Alizarin Crimson Discussion

Favorite True Reds

Mixing Burgundy Red

Reds by JJ (laudesan)

Reds, Reds, Reds to Have on Your Palette

What Are Your Favorite Warm and Cool Reds?

*Yellows*

Keeping Yellows Bright

Lemon Yellow Doesn't Play Well With Others… Discussion

What Are Your Favorite Warm and Cool Yellows?

Shadow Colors for Yellow Flowers

*Whites*

Resurrecting White Areas in Watercolor Paintings by Brian Barnes

Ways to Use White Paint in Your Watercolor Paintings

******

Color Schemes by Deb Leger

Color Mixing by Carol (FriendCarol)

Favorite Colors Online Colour Mixer

Materials and Preparation

*Brushes*

Best Brush to Include in a Travel Kit

Kolinsky Sable Brushes: Questions and Answers

Make a Brush from a Sponge to Use with Watercolor Paints by Rod Webb

Selecting and Maintaining Brushes by Deb Leger

Taking Care of Your Brushes

Types of Brushes to Use for Washes on Large Paintings

*******

Graphite Paper for Tracing Drawings

Getting Started in Watercolors — Advice for Beginners

Gum Arabic with Watercolor Paints

*Light Boxes*

A Light Box—How to Make One by Mrs. Gee

Making a Lightbox by Laurie1

******

Lightfastness Tests of Paints by annie (annie.nz)

Lightfastness Tests of Paints Updated by annie (annie.nz)

*Masking Fluid or Frisket*

Masking Fluid or Frisket Brands Compared

Masking Fluid (Frisket) Do's and Don'ts by Rod Webb

Masking Fluid or Frisket Use

Masking Tips by Dale Ziegler

Using Masking Fluid by June (Juneto)

*Palettes*

Palette Preferences

Palettes — What Does Yours Look Like? by Champagne Harley

*****

*Watercolor Pencils*

Watercolor Pencils

Watercolor Pencil Brands Comparisons

Derwent Graphitint Watercolor Pencils by artbyboon

*WATERCOLOR PAPER AND OTHER SUPPORTS*

Cutting or Tearing Watercolor Paper Into Smaller Sizes

Cutting Watercolor Paper from a Roll by NodakerDeb

Painting on Watercolor Paper Coated with Gesso and Tissue Paper by Billie (Fozbot)

Make Your Own Watercolor Sketchbook by Rosemarie Lutken

Watercolor Paper— How It's Made and Sold by Char (CharM)

Watercolor Paper Types and Brands Preferences Discussion

Watercolor Paper Brands and Preferences II

Watercolor Paper Terms for Different Sizes Explained

*Paper Tests*

Paper Tests—Different Kinds and Weights: by artinwc
• 140lb and 200 lb Cold Pressed
• 300 lb Cold Pressed
• Rough Surfaced 1 and 2
• Hot Pressed and Soft Pressed

Cold Press vs Rough Watercolor Paper

Hot Press Paper Questions

Hot Press Paper Techniques by Susan Tustain

Testing Nine Different Kinds of Sample Papers by Ellen in Ont

Paper Experiments Summary by Janine (janinep7)

Paper Experiments Round 1 Summary by Janine (janinep7)

Watercolor Canvas

Painting on YUPO

Rice Paper for Texture: Waterside Balcony by John Lovett

Making Your Own Watercolor Block by Bob Rooney

*Stretching Paper*

Stretching Paper Video by Artist & Illustrators Magazine

Different Types of Plastics to Use for Stretching Watercolor Paper by Brandy (Kittengale)

DIY Paper Stretching Device Version II by dpcoffin

DIY Paper Stretcher; Alternative to Bromley/Leahey by dpcoffin

How Do You Stretch and Work with a Full Sheet of Paper?

Paper Stretching Made Easy by RogerPf

Stretching and Preparing Paper by Brandy (kittengale)

Stretching Watercolor Paper Using Gummed Tape Questions and Answers

Stretching Watercolor Paper with Gummed Tape by Rod Webb

Stretching Paper — External Link

Stretching Paper on a Wood Frame by Marvin Chew (mchew)

Stretching Paper on a Canvas Stretcher Bar or Wood Frame

Using Gummed Tape for Stretching Paper Discussion

*WATERCOLOR PAINTS*

*Gouache*

Gouache Techniques

Oh My Gouache! by Salmon

*******

Watercolor Crayons by rue d'oak

*Watercolor Paints*

Paints — Choosing Brands, Names, Transparent, Opaque by JJ (laudesan)

Paints — Discussion About Different Brands

Paints — What Do PV, PR, Pvk, etc. Mean on the Paint Tube? by Judi Patotti

Lightfastness and Permanency by David Lex Rollins

Liightfastness Tests by Annie (annie.nz)

Paint Toxicity by Laura (Laura D)

Toxicity of Cadmiums

Field Kits: by Neeman
• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
Plein Air Kit by Marcio C

*****

Watercolor Crayons by rue d'oak

*Watercolor Pencils*

Watercolor Pencils

Watercolor Pencil Brands Comparisons

Derwent Graphitint Watercolor Pencils by artbyboon

*******
Studio Lighting by Phyllis Franklin (llis) and Neeman

Hanging and Selling Paintings; Making Prints

The Art to Hanging Pictures by Brian (Seedy)

Getting Color Slides of Your Paintings Made

How Do You Go About Getting Your Work Copyrighted?

How to Price Your Paintings

Making and Selling Prints by Artistdbs

Numbering Prints of Your Paintings for Sale

Organizing and Exhibiting Your Work by Lyn Cherry (artmom)

Writing an Artist's Statement

Matting and Framing Paintings

Caring for Watercolor Paintings / Certificates of Authenticity

*Flattening Watercolor Paper*

Flattening Paper Before Matting and Framing

How to Flatten Buckled Paper

How to Flatten a Full Sheet Watercolor Painting

*****

Float Mounting with a Deckle Edge — External Link

Framing and Certificates of Authenticity (COAs)

*Matting Your Artwork*

Matting Advice by the Boston Museum of Fine Art

Matting Your Work by Daniel Smith

Matting and Framing by Daniel Smith

Online Matting Site

Online Matting and Framing Site

Oval Frames — Buying and Cutting

Proper Matting and Framing Makes a BIG Difference by Arlene

**Fixatives and Varnished Paintings**

Mounting a Watercolor Paper on Canvas by Baba

Merits of Sealed Watercolors

Sealing Paintings for Framing Without Glass by Rich Williams

Spraying Watercolors with a Fixative

Thoughts on Framing Without Glass

Painting Techniques: Basic and Beyond

Alternative and Mixed Mediums by Lynn (MLQ)

Beginners' Questions About Watercolor; Answers from Experienced Painters

Lifting Colors by Dale Ziegler

Transferring Pencil Drawings to Watercolor Paper Successfully

**Backgrounds**

Backgrounds Techniques

Dark Backgrounds

**Critiques**

Critiques — Am I Being Too Sensitive?

Critiques — What Kind Do You Want?

**Frequently Asked Questions**

Basic Questions About Watercolor Painting

The Top 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Watercolors

**Edges**

Blending Edges When Shading

Edges — Hard, Soft, Lost and Found Ones by Char (CharM)

Edges — Hard, Lost, and Soft by Celeste McCall

Preventing Hard Edges in Washes

Controlling Water in Watercolours by Arnold Lowrey

Adding Water to Paint on the Palette Discussion

Watch for the Sheen on Your Paper by Jackie Simmonds

Drybrush by Johnnie

*Glazing / Layering Colors and Washes*

Glazing — Blue Waterlilies by Heidi (hidy)

Glazing —Layering Color with Watercolors by Ellen Fountain

Glazing — Lotus Study by Heidi (hidy)

Is There a Trick to Layering / Glazing?

Easy Wash Techniques in Watercolor by Maggie Lathem

Washes and / or Glazes by Rich

**Teaching Techniques**

Advice for Taking on Students

Teaching the Basics of Watercolor Painting to a Beginners' Class

Future Artist? Teaching Children About Mixing Colors by grainne

Teaching Children to Paint with Watercolors

How to Get the Muse Flowing Again by Roger Pf

How to Progress as a Painter

Painting Folds in Cloth and Fabric

Pen and Ink with Watercolor

Pours and Motherwashes

Salt for Special Effects

Snowflakes—How Do You Paint Them?

Spatters by Kev (Roun2it)

Texturing Effects by Ellen Fountain

Wax Resist

Keeping the White of Your Paper by Rich Williams

Restoring the White of Your Paper by Brian Barnes and Christie Zwick

Ink Eraser / Other Means to Restore the White

Principles

*Composition*

Center of Interest / Focal Point by Sylvia (painterbear)

Composition by Johannes Vloothuis

Beautiful Pathways for the Eye

Should Every Painting Have a COI?

Books Featuring Composition Techniques

Using Computers to Compose Paintings by Norm Lanier (laniers)

*Negative Painting*

Developing a Painting with Lost, Loose, and Splash Details by June (juneto)

Let's Think About Negative Painting in a Positive Way KIUAN Exercise

Negative Painting by Sylvia (painterbear)

Fruit Vendor with Negative Painting by Dale Zeigler

*****

Perspective by Doug (Yorky)

Photo Editing — A GIMP Primer by Mike (mmcaloon)

Proper Lighting for Photographing Your Artwork

Scanning Large Paintings by Diana Lee

Setting Up and Painting a Still Life by Char (CharM)

Signing Your Artwork

Sketching Links

Values by Sylvia (painterbear)

Underpainting Technique in Watercolors

Ways to Make Your Paintings "POP" by Celeste McCall

Subject Matter

Animals & Wildlife by Marquisina Lampi

Landscapes by Lyn Cherry (artmom)

*PORTRAITS*

How to Paint Hair by RogerPf

Painting People of Color by Linda (keysgram)

Painting a Portrait of Denis by Ona

Painting Realistic Eyes and Skin Tones by Ellen in Ont

*SHADOWS*

Shadows

Shadow Techniques by Arnold Lowrey

Shadows by Jackie Simmonds

Painting Skies Discussion and Demos

Still lifes by Char (CharM)

*TREES AND FOLIAGE*

Foliage Tutorial by Shelley (Shelley P)

Painting Trees and Foliage in Watercolors by Marvin Chew (mchew)

Painting Trees My Way by Rod Webb

Resources

Learning Demos

Best Living Watercolor Artist?

Favorite Watercolor Artists

*Computers for Painting*

Favorite Photo Manipulation Software

Photo Editing Program: The GIMP Primer by Mike McAloon

Resizing Images for Wet Canvas with a Mac Computer

Using A Computer to Compose Your Painting

Make Images Load Faster by Roger PF

Scanning Paintings and Resolution Questions

Uploading Images: A Quick Reference Guide + FAQs by Monica B

****

2007 Watercolor Art Show

2006 Watercolor Art Show

Online Art Instruction Library by Daniel Smith Teachers

Online Image Database of Watercolor Masterworks

Watercolor Facts and Techniques by Greg Conley

Members Photo Collections

Ontario Meet 2008

Workshop Experiences and Expectations

Royalty-Free Photography Sites

The Wetcanvas Reference Image Library
Using the Reference Image Library
Morguefile
PD Photos
Fontplay - FreePhotos
Free Photos to Paint at Photos4artists

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Infringement

Info on photographers' legal rights which might be useful:
UK
USA
Australia