Painting style?

[andrew]

just wondering if anyone can tell me what style of *watercolor* would
most closely approximate this:

http://www.turnerdesign.net/watercolor

*

I realize it looks like a batik.... also, having read a bit online and
searched a little more, it seems like wet-on-dry with drying inbetween
is the best bet, but I really couldn't find any specifics about
overlaying small areas of color for the hard-edged but "blotchy" look
seen here.

Any help appreciated!

Andrew

[Marilyn]

First of all, in the composition I found too much foreground, nothing to
lead into the centre of interest. That could be just in the digital
reproduction, the real painting may show more variation.

The method of watercolour, is loose staining, allowing the
edges of the stains to create outline. This is usually
done with smaller forms, like Prendergast -
master of this method. Can't tell what was done in the foreground
but the painter may have used flour or cornstarch to thicken the
paint and get the bushy texture.
That's my best guess.

MW

[andrew]

Hi Marilyn, and thanks -

Actually, there is no composition - I just ran a few Photoshop filters on
an image to illustrate the style I'd like to attempt in "real media" ;)

The stained edges you mention are something I've experienced with "play"
watercolors, and that is part of the method I'm seeking... I just want to
make sure I have good control of where that happens.

Corn Starch... that's interesting. Is that a medium ordinarily mixed with
watercolor?

Someone also suggested using goache..

Andrew

[Bob & Dale Ford]

Hi Andrew

When you are working with wet on wet, and wet on dry you need lots of practice
and expect a few surprises. I use the outline "stain" to provide the bones of
my work. But I work large with water colours. The reason why many people work
small with this method is because it is very difficult to control and
"surprises" happen all the time. Needless to say the bigger the blotch of very
watery paint the more difficult and some times impossible 100% control is. I
happen to like that aspect.

I could do the grass in the foreground with just layers of paint and some
lifting, wet on dry. So quit playing with the computer and paint. Expect a few
disasters :-) Water-colour is definitely the hardest medium to control.

Good Luck
Dale

[reg]

it's called wet filter in photoshop,....

--
Reg* ~~~~Anyone who complains that Windows is a unworkable OS
never owned a hawg(HD),.....~~~~~

[Jiri Borsky]

reg wrote:
>
> it's called wet filter in photoshop,....

Quite possibly.
Also it is called "a very weak composition" in any other shop.
No amount of filters will get one out of that predicament.

Jiri Borsky

[andrew]

I didn't know their was a "wet" filter in photoshop, nor that it actually
was a watercolor medium.

You learn something new every day...

[andrew]

It's also called "read the post entered at 4:09 PM."

I suppose you wouldn't let a little something like that get in your way,
though.

[andrew]

Hi Dale -

Thanks very much for the pointers.

Yeah, watercolor sounds tough all right. Exiting though.

As far as the computer goes... well, it has its place. I think if one can
replicate something they do on the screen on a canvas, the computer will serve as
a pretty great study medium. That's my plan, anyway... plus a lot of
experimentation with the real stuff! (Other mediums too, naturally.)

I'll look up "lifting", though I'm pretty sure I follow you.

Seeya!
Andrew

[andrew]

Thanks again Marilyn...

I suppose, too, there might be some sort of "thickening agent" for
watercolors? I'll do a bit of research. But I can always raid the
kitchen for some arrowroot if I need to.

Andrew

Marilyn wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Gouache is not transparent and the pigments are not ground as finely
> as
> watercolour pigments. Flour and cornstarch have been used for texture
> in watercolours. They are just thickening agents. Considering what I
> have read about them, they are too refined to be food, especially
> cornstarch.
> I used arrowroot flour in a painting once and no ill effects after 8
> years.
>
> MW