BASIC SKILLS
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Flat Wash 
The first basic watercolor skill to learn. Take some time and learn to paint flat washes. It will be time well served. |
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Graded Wash
The second basic watercolor wash skill. Learn how to make an evenly graded dark to light wash. |
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Glazed Wash
Getting multi-layered jewel tones in a simple composition using the technique of glazing your watercolor washes.
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Wet-in-wet Technique
An exciting exercise in the free flowing possibilities of watercolor. Practice often, it's fun. |
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Dry Brush Technique
Proper brush handling and paint consistency is needed in this easily learned watercolor technique.
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Lifting Wet Watercolor
Watercolor lightens easily when wet. Plan ahead before you paint.
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Lifting Dry Watercolor
Lifting and lightening dried watercolor paint. (Elbow grease and a light touch)
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ADVANCED SKILLS I
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Splattering Textures
Some people do it on purpose. A fun technique for the playful at heart. With Spray (below) |
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(and)
Spray Textures
Recycle your toothbrush for some fun spraying action. Don't use it for your teeth again, that's just gross.
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Sgrafitto Textures
A light scratch, a burnished caress, an agressive knife attack...linear texture. With Stamped (below)
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(and)
Stamped Textures
Sponges, tissues, and anything you can get your paint to stick to can be a "handy" tool.
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Back Wash
Textures
Intentional drips or controlled back washes. There's lots of texture in simple water.
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Alcohol Texture
It's not just for boo-boos. Flick a bit on your watercolors and watch what happens.
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Salt Texture
Kosher or not, you'll sea salt in action and the problems it can create. You want fries with that?
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ADVANCED SKILLS II
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Tissue Paper Texture
Next time you unwrap a present, save that tissue! It does fascinating things to paint.
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Plastic Wrap Texture
It's not just for leftovers. See how this common item makes unique textures.
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Painting
with Frisket
Painting using basic liquid frisket masking techniques for saving the lights in your watercolor painting.
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Using
Wax Resist
From crayolas to candles, an irresistable technique. You get the idea.
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Color Grid Exercise
An exercise to learn learn about how your colors work with each other as transparent (or not) glazes.
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Tracing Paper
Testing ideas and adding elements using a tracing paper transfer made with graphite.
Part 2 Here!
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Blow Dryer Tips
Learning to dry and not fry when your artistic patience is wearing thin.
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) back to this page.
Classic watercolor brush grip.
