by Lc Morehead

Created on: April 04, 2008

First and most important, be prepared. Make sure you have the time to work and all the supplies you will need.
Paper: The quality of the paper depends on the type of painting you will be doing. If you are just learning or practicing, ordinary watercolor paper will do. If you are doing serious work that will end up framed or perhaps sold, you will want to use high quality watercolor paper.

Paint: Watercolor comes in different forms. There are the solid cakes that you wet with water, there are watercolor pencils that you can draw dry with and then wet with a brush, or wet the pencil and draw, or wet the paper and draw. I prefer the tubes. You simply squeeze some out onto your palette and mix as you need to.
Brushes: You will want good quality brushes. Less expensive brushes don't hold paint as well and they tend to shed. Have several different sizes and styles for a variety of techniques.
In addition, you will need two containers of water, a mixing tray or a palette and plenty of paper towels.

If you are just starting, you will want to practice to get the feel of the brushes, the paper and the paint. Try different strokes, different amounts of paint and water. Try different color combinations and just have fun with it. Painting should be enjoyable. Don't stress out if things don't happen the way you expect them to right away. Learning to paint takes time and a whole lot of practice.

Some helpful hints:
Don't overload your brush. Too much paint can be hard to handle and control.
Make sure that when you are changing colors, your brush is rinsed well.
Use lighter colors first. You can always go darker.
If you go too dark or goof, you can take some away by simply wetting the paper and dabbing with a paper towel.
If you don't want colors to blend, you will want to let one dry before adding the next.
Although, you can produce some fantastic effects by blending on the paper.
Practice different techniques.
There are several techniques you can employ from basic to advanced.
Flat wash is just as it sounds. Load a flat brush with color and apply to entire area, using long, even strokes from one side to the other. This can be done different ways, solid wash, graded wash, layered colors, blended, etc.
There is splattering and spraying, where the brush is flicked or splayed onto the paper.
You can achieve different textures by stamping, sponging, or scratching. You can use alcohol, salt, wax, tissue paper, or plastic wrap.
The most important tool you have is your imagination. Use it and remember to have fun.

Learn more about this author, Lc Morehead.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.