Member-only story

Learn to Paint Stunning Watercolors in 10 Step-by-Step Exercises with Pen, Ink, and Watercolor

Ian McEwan

·4.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Painting With Watercolor: Learn To Paint Stunning Watercolors In 10 Step By Step Exercises (Pen Ink And Watercolor Sketching)

5 min read

363 View Claps

40 Respond

Save

Listen

Are you ready to dive into the enchanting world of watercolor painting? This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the knowledge and techniques you need to create beautiful watercolor artworks. With 10 step-by-step exercises, detailed instructions, and expert tips, you'll embark on an artistic journey that will ignite your creativity and produce stunning results.

Materials You'll Need:

Watercolor paints
Watercolor paper
Brushes (round, flat, and fan brushes)
Palette
Pen and ink
Cup of water
Paper towel

Step 1: Preparing Your Watercolor Paper

Begin by wetting your watercolor paper with a clean brush. This will help the paint flow smoothly and prevent it from beading up. Use a paper towel to absorb excess water.

Painting with Watercolor: Learn to Paint Stunning Watercolors in 10 Step-by-Step Exercises (Pen, Ink and Watercolor Sketching)

by Shirish Deshpande

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	45508 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	297 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

Step 2: Sketching Your Outline with Pen and Ink

Lightly sketch your subject directly onto the moistened watercolor paper using a pen and ink. Remember, you can always erase pencil lines, but not pen and ink. Allow the ink to dry completely.

Step 3: Creating a Base Layer

Mix a light wash of watercolor paint and gently apply it over the entire surface of your paper, avoiding the areas covered by the pen and ink outline. This will create a base layer and provide a background for your painting.

Step 4: Adding Details with Watercolor

With a fine brush, begin adding details to your painting. Use different shades of watercolor to create depth and texture. Remember to start with light colors and gradually build up layers.

Step 5: Painting in Layers

Watercolors are transparent, so it's important to build up layers of color to create a cohesive painting. Allow each layer to dry completely before applying the next.

Step 6: Creating Washes

A wash is a diluted mixture of watercolor paint that can create a variety of effects. Practice creating different washes by varying the amount of water and paint.

Step 7: Dry Brush Technique

The dry brush technique involves dipping a brush into the paint, wiping off most of the moisture, and then lightly brushing it over the paper. This creates a textured effect.

Step 8: Wet-on-Wet Technique

The wet-on-wet technique involves applying one color of paint onto another while both layers are still wet. This allows the colors to blend seamlessly.

Step 9: Salt Technique

Sprinkle salt onto the wet paint to create a unique crystalline effect. The salt will absorb the paint, leaving behind interesting patterns.

Step 10: Finishing Touches

Once your painting is complete, allow it to dry thoroughly. You can enhance certain details by using a white gel pen or adding a touch of gold paint. Frame your masterpiece to display your stunning watercolor creation.

Congratulations on completing your first watercolor painting! Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you experiment with the techniques presented in this guide, the more confident and skilled you'll become. So keep painting, exploring, and expressing your creativity with the beautiful art of watercolor.

Painting with Watercolor: Learn to Paint Stunning Watercolors in 10 Step-by-Step Exercises (Pen, Ink and Watercolor Sketching)

by Shirish Deshpande

4.6 out of 5