Watercolor (Depth)
Lee Evans
The traditional approach to using watercolor has always been in making the
colors transparent. This, I assume, is the type of paintings you refer to as
"lacking depth." That is, however, only one approach to using watercolor. I
have been painting in watercolor for 10 years (nontraditionally) and have found
that there is a wonderful flexibility about using watercolors that many people
painting in watermedia do not take the time or the interest to experiment with.
I tend to prefer strong colors, and so I strive for a "richness" of color
(which I assume you would mean depth). Much of what is capable in wondercolors
depends upon your use of materials. Many people start out using pan paint,
which I never use because of the above--it does deepen in hue; but rather stays
transparent. I prefer the use of tube paint beause you can achieve varying
effects with it, depending upon the amount of water to paint you can use. That
is, you go can for washes (lots of water) to painting dry on dry (which
achieves the strong depth of color).
The best way to learn to use watercolor is just to experiment with it. There
are lots of techniques in books -- some of which are good, but frankly I love
the painting process itself and have little patience with using projection of
images, and gum arabic. The most important thing in using watercolor is to use
good paper and brushes. Paper should always be acid free--I prefer arches, but
it is a little costly for a beginner. For brushes I have found nothing finer
than Windsor & Newton. Experiment, have fun & good luck!!
Lee Evans
Contemporary Watercolorist
dgo...@bright.net
Appreciate your input on watercolors. I have only painted in oils, but
am interested in trying other media, especially watercolor. I really
want to be able to have depth and richness in my paintings, but have
hesitated in trying watercolors because of the transparency. Have you
tried using a gesso underpainting with your watercolors? Perhaps the
gesso would make the paper's surface too "slippery"?
I found that good brushes are important in oil painting, too -- except
for "scrumbling," etc. And, a worn out brush can make some nice grass
and leaves!
Since you take a nontraditional approach, do you paint light to dark?
Also, is gouache worth a try?
Thanks.
k
_______________
LLoturco
I've painted with watercolors for a good number of years, I too use them
nontraditionally, as well I prefer tubes to pans for their flexability and
richness. I have worked on a number of surfaces. I tend to use watercolor
blocks and I prefer a smooth surface to the more common watercolor paper
surface. I tend to lay the colors in then remove and manipulate. This led me to
gessoing my surface for durability. I use an acrylic gesso but I mix it with
marbledust. (a mixture I stumbled upon while preparing a surface for pastels)
For the watercolors it makes the surface more absorbant and can give a nice
textural base. For me watercolors and gouache go hand in hand and I use them
both. I was for a long time faithful to only watercolor but now I often crave a
variety of mediums so I work in oils as well as pastels and at times I've
worked the pastels over the watercolors or even the oils over a watercolor
underpainting.
Experiment and enjoy
-Laura
LLoturco
Sherry Shipley
>
> surface. I tend to lay the colors in then remove and manipulate. This led me to
> gessoing my surface for durability. I use an acrylic gesso but I mix it with
> marbledust. (a mixture I stumbled upon while preparing a surface for pastels)
> For the watercolors it makes the surface more absorbant and can give a nice
> textural base. For me watercolors and gouache go hand in hand and I use them
> both. I was for a long time faithful to only watercolor but now I often crave a
> variety of mediums so I work in oils as well as pastels and at times I've
> worked the pastels over the watercolors or even the oils over a watercolor
> underpainting.
>
>
> Laura,
I work with gouache over liquid acrylic and/or acrylic inks. I like to experiment
with different textured backgrounds for different effects. I have worked over the
gesso but I am curious as to what effect the marble dust adds to it?You can view
some of my work at : http://www.internetgallery.com
Sherry
LLoturco
> I have worked over the
>gesso but I am curious as to what effect the marble dust adds to it?
Hello Sherry,
Nice work, I viewed your site.
Well to answer your question... for me the marbledust gives the surface a more
absorbant quality. Acrylic gesso has a somewhat resistent surface but with the
dust it takes the paint well. It also makes the surface easy to draw on with
graphite or pastel.
In addition, once it is primed you can you oils on it without fear of harming
the paper. (sometimes I use oil pastels) I like to work the surface when
appling the gesso/marbledust so that texture (either through brush stroke or
stipple or scumble) works with the intended piece. I can then sand it or not,
depending on how rough i want the surface.
I use this same priming medium when I work in oils, but in that case I prime
linen that has been mounted on panel.
As I work more with pastels I'd like to try mixing pumice with the gesso
because it is grittier (and to buy it ready-made is so much more expensive) But
I have not yet had the chance to try it.
I hope this helps
-Laura
Artnatives
> I've painted with watercolors for a good number of years, I too use them
>nontraditionally,
Thanks for sharing your marble dust mixed with gesso idea on watercolor papers
information. I'm picking up some great stuff here today and only just started!
Your story sounds a bit like mine. I also like the smooth papers Arches HP.
After finishing I paint the backside with roller and gesso to strengthen the
paper and then let it dry under some boards or glass etc. comes out real flat -
I love that. I also was faithful to traditional watercolor in the "beginning"
but now anything goes. Eve