Techniques and Tips for Watercolors
When it comes to watercolor painting, these are the tricks that draw the ooh's and aah's every time. Watercolor as a medium seems like such a challenge because it seems unpredictable at first glance. It's so important to learn what to expect from the pigment when it meets water.
When learning watercolor basics, these will help form a better foundation in painting with more enjoyment. The frustration is lessened because you have a better idea of how the pigment is going to respond to what you do.
There are many helpful videos on YouTube that are great resources shared by other artists. Do a quick search on YouTube and you'll have a great time watching artists demonstrate these techniques.
When teaching these techniques in a workshop, I bring out these posters and copies of the instructions as handouts for students. I'm sharing those handouts with all of you, here and now! This post has been a long time in the planning stages and I'm so thrilled to have it finally ready to share with other watercolor enthusiasts.
When learning watercolor basics, these will help form a better foundation in painting with more enjoyment. The frustration is lessened because you have a better idea of how the pigment is going to respond to what you do.
There are many helpful videos on YouTube that are great resources shared by other artists. Do a quick search on YouTube and you'll have a great time watching artists demonstrate these techniques.
When teaching these techniques in a workshop, I bring out these posters and copies of the instructions as handouts for students. I'm sharing those handouts with all of you, here and now! This post has been a long time in the planning stages and I'm so thrilled to have it finally ready to share with other watercolor enthusiasts.
So, I have a bit of confessing to do first. Have you seen my pins on Pinterest for these techniques? Years ago, when I was new to Pinterest, I created pins for the images of these posters. At the time, I didn't realize how popular these posters would become with time. Now, these pins are my most commonly saved pins! Unfortunately, they lack any explanation. The pins lead nowhere but to the images. Lesson learned, believe me! I can't tell you how much I regret that mistake! It's taken me a while but now I'm glad to share the posters and the tips that help explain each one.
If there's a technique you'd like me to elaborate on more, please let me know in the comments. I'd be more than happy to help you with that!
When it comes to watercolor painting, these are the tricks that draw the ooh's and aah's every time.
Watercolor Techniques Pages 1 and 2
 |
| Created by Christy Sheeler. For personal use only. Request permission to reproduce. |
 |
| Created by Christy Sheeler. For personal use only. Request permission to reproduce. |
Tips & Explanations for Watercolor Techniques
I know the text on the tips sheets may be hard to read so here's a link to the printable PDF file:
I hope you are able to try these techniques on your own! These make up a watercolor artist's tool box for creating unusual effects. There are several I use often. There are 4 or 5 I rarely use but at times, these techniques are useful. It all depends on the style and subject matter. It's a good idea to become familiar with them, try them out with a bit of practice before applying them to an artwork you are working on.
Leave me a note in the comments! Let me know if you've got questions and I'd be very happy to explain any of these further. Thank you for stopping by and sharing a few minutes here today!
ADDED NOTE: So many have commented and requested to use this as a resource for instructional material. Thank you for the compliment! I am glad you have found this to be helpful in teaching in your own settings. Use permission is granted with the agreement that source credit is given to Christy Sheeler Artist and She Must Make Art, the art blog. Permission is not given to altar these in any way or form. I know the images above do stipulate for personal use only. I do appreciate you commenting below your own purpose for using because it's so nice to read your stories. I love knowing how these are spreading to touch others' enjoyment of watercolor painting. -CS 2023
Thank you to those of you who have requested my permission in the comments. I am too often late in replying so thus the reason for adding this note. May your instruction go well and these resources be a blessing!
Christy
-She must make art.
Thanks, Christy! Great information for a newbie like me. OrangeGAL
ReplyDeleteOrangeGAL, you are very welcome! I have had so much enjoyment in sharing these ideas with other watercolorists. It's a real treat to connect in this way. Thanks for hanging out here and stop back soon! I'll be back on regularly by fall 2017!
DeleteThank you so much! I love watercolor but have not been able to experiment with it much...too busy with kids and life! I am an empty nester now and plan to start watercoloring as much as possible! Your tips and examples, I'm sure, will save me from much frustration!!! Thank you for taking the time to share with us!
ReplyDeleteShelly, I can really relate with how kids and life can make it a challenge to pull out the art supplies! I've been away for many months now but really miss my watercolors. I know this is just a season and I'll be back as life allows. It's encouraging to hear others like yourself are making the move to creative time now. These have been a big hit in watercolor workshops; I think it's a grown up's way of playing again. You're so welcome! Enjoy the time spent with those watercolors!
DeleteHey Christy, thank you so much for openly sharing these techniques and examples! I’m about to try these techniques out with one of my art classes. Even though, I graduated from University with my second degree being Visual Art, I haven’t ever had a class dealing specifically with water colours. Do you ever or have you ever considered being a guest artist via Zoom or Skype etc? I’d love to try something like this! If interested, shoot me an email! michelle.fidelack@horizonsd.ca
ReplyDeleteThanks a million!
Michelle
Michelle, how are the art classes going? Are you teaching and if so, what ages of students? Please stay in contact! I'd love to hear how it's going and maybe we can talk about a Zoom or Skype adventure. I'm soon to be back to work but trying to get my creative energy flowing anyway. I'm interested to hear how other creatives are making their way.
DeleteChristy
I don't think we can define the process of "learning" watercolour as a collection of techniques. My experience has come to focus more on observation. It's wonderful that I was able to observe this site and the potential of what it can become. With that in mind, shape, colour, value, and association can elicit many memories and the presence of the here and now where the immediacy of the medium has the potential to create larger social themes and statements. If it succeeds with this the collective cannot say, "So what?"
ReplyDeleteGood points and I do agree with you! Observation is so fundamental in the creative process. It takes time, patience, self-control, and faith that it will be worth it. You share wisely in the need for understanding art fundamentals. Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment. I use this place to express my own creative journey...and it's so much better when I can interact with others as well.
DeleteRemarkable article, it is particularly useful! I quietly began in this, and I'm becoming more acquainted with it better! Delights, keep doing more and extra impressive! art prints posters
ReplyDeleteChristy, thank you so much for taking the time to help with techniques. I have always painted with acrylics and decided to journey into watercolors; they intrigue me. I already have purchased paints and paper and didn't know where to start. Now I can begin my journey - I can't thank you enouch.
ReplyDeleteI have to search sites with relevant information on given topic and provide them to teacher our opinion and the article. arteshop
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing these with us!
ReplyDeleteCould I use this as an exercise for my students?
ReplyDeleteYes, feel free to use with your students. Have fun! Thanks for asking, sorry my response was so delayed.
ReplyDeleteHello Christy, I have been looking for years for something already online that matched my classroom goals. Yours are the best that I have seen. I am a 30 year veteran Art Teacher.
ReplyDeleteMay I use these with my students as well... and thank you for posting this is such a great defined way. I love the way you organized it! Thank you.
Thanks for asking and feel free to use. I just ask that your credit me here are your source. Enjoy!
DeleteI was so happy to find this! It's been so long since I've done a quick watercolor workshop that I became flustered when I was asked to put one together in two weeks! And I could only think of a few techniques. I will not make copies and pass out your examples but I will use them to make my own; still, I will copy and hand out your wonderfully written explanation and tips, giving you full credit and a link to your website, of course. Thank you so much for this!! You're a beautiful person and such a giver. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment! I love hearing this and am so thrilled you are able to use these to help you plan for your own workshop. Find me on Instagram as @christysheeler.artist because I would love to follow along! Check back and let me know how it goes. Have a great time and you are welcome!
DeleteThank you for the information. I do have a question about splatter. I tried it on a snowy scene but I ended up having more on me and my desk than on my painting. Any suggestions as to what u may have been doing wrong?
ReplyDeleteI think it just takes experimentation...and yes, spatter will get everywhere. Move other artwork out of the immediate area first. I have found best spatter with tapping paint from a round brush is most effective for me. I now load up a #6 or #8 round with pigment and then I hold it a couple inches from the painting. I tap the handle with the handle of another brush. Play with holding the pigment holding round brush at different angles and heights. I have found my face and arms covered with little dots of paint afterward.
DeleteWow! How generous of you to share this. I've been trying to watercolor forever. I think these tips & techs will help a lot! Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteWatercolor is quite an adventure and full of surprises! Be ready to let it lead you in understanding its quirks. As you explore watercolor, let me know how you fare.
DeleteChristy, I lead a group of senior citizens in Monterey, CA, in sketchbooking practices. I'm hoping, with your permission, to use your guide with them. I will give full disclosure that your site is where I gathered the information. I donate all of my time and all of the materials to this group of (right now 27) artists. I know I could gather the information from individual sources, but yours is so concise. It would help me immensely if I could use your guide with them. Thank you in advance, KM Ryan
ReplyDeleteSorry, KM Ryan for delay in responding. Yes, please use this resource and thank you for sharing my site as your source. That sounds like a terrific opportunity for your community. May they enjoy and be blessed by your time, explanation, demonstration, and materials!
Delete