2/06/2014

Tips And Techniques For Abstract Watercolor Painting Success

By Jayne Rutledge


As an aspiring abstract watercolor painting artist, there are a number of tips and techniques that can help you get started. This kind of art can be massively satisfying for artists, but it can also present its challenges. For more satisfying results, follow some of the tips below and mix them with your own experimentation and exploration of style.

Watercolors are a simple kind of paint to use since there is not too much technicality attached to mixing the colors or applying them. In order to prepare the liquid, all you need to do is to add a little water to the palette. While the technical aspect is simple, there is a great deal of skill to using them effectively on the canvas.

A key thing to realize when you are working with this medium is that the colors are always lighter when they dry. Becoming accustomed to this early on will help you to get the right depth of color on your artwork. If you do find that your art dries too light, you can experiment with the amount of water you are mixing into the palette and reduce the amount for a darker look.

In addition to being lighter than you might expect, this style remains translucent. This can be challenging for the artist because if you make an error, it is difficult to hide it. When you are working with acrylics or oils, you can simply go over the top of the mistake. If you do make an error using this medium, you will have to be careful. You can sometimes apply more over the top, but it may not work satisfactorily; trial and error is required.

Many artists recommend making a simple sketch of your subject before beginning with the real thing. This will help you to plan where and how you will composite the picture. Taking the time to do this can save you a lot of frustration and errors.

Limiting the range of colors that you use is often recommended by long-time watercolor enthusiasts. When using more than around three hues in a piece, the effect can be busy and appear overcrowded. Limit your palette while you are a beginner and experiment with the effect before branching out further along the line.

The quality of your materials is very important when you are experimenting with this style. You can economize on paper or paints, but high quality brushes are essential. Cheaper bristles will often come loose as you paint and stick to the paper. This can be very frustrating as it can ruin a picture.

Abstract watercolor painting is an excellent place to begin your exploration of this style of art. Through trial and error and experimentation, you can come up with some excellent results and begin to understand the subtleties of using this kind of medium. Be creative, use your imagination and you will begin to develop some good work and your own particular style.




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