Graded Wash in Watercolor

I have just uploaded another tidbit of a lesson from my Beginner's Watercolor Workshop DVD. Visit the link below to learn how to create a graded wash.

Sometimes watercolor has a mind of its own, but when you learn what the medium can do it makes it much more fun to experiment with. The graded wash is an application of watercolor pigment on paper which goes from a dark value to a light value (or the opposite). If the wash is not applied correctly you will develop streaks, brush marks and/or blooms. Once you master the four basic washes, you can manipulate them a little better to create the looks you desire in your paintings.
Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjSnNeOtiwk

Cactus Flower Lesson 12

Oh what fun! Developing the red flower heads was lots of fun. I love how the greens and red act against each other and really make the focal point pop. The dark values in the shadow areas help to create the illusion of depth.

I used many different reds on my palette to work around the flower heads including, Burnt Sienna, Perylene Maroon, Permanent Rose, and some Quinicridone colors. I wanted to keep the yellows glowing through some areas, so I was careful not to cover them with too many glazes or with cool glazes.

I used some Burnt Sienna and VanDyke Brown in the shadow areas around the thorns. Be sure to leave the white areas wherever you can! This just adds sparkle to the piece.

Boat On River Lesson 11

Today I am using a small bit of Permanent Sap Green and Burnt Sienna mixed to create an olive green. You can add some New Gamboge if you want it to be a little more golden. I use a wet, but strong mixture to paint the stripes on the right side of the boat. Then, I added some water and painted a wetter version of the same mixture on the left side. It needs to be wetter and lighter because it is not in shadow.

A bit of French Ultramarine Blue was used in the little bumper at the corner of the dock to create a soft shadow. I also used a touch of Burnt Sienna with a number six round brush that has a nice point, and run a very light, very thin stroke of pigment here and there on the right sides of the mast and ropes that go up through the tree line.

Sunlit Coconuts Lesson 9

Here I have added some Permanent Sap Green to the tree trunk. After it dried I used some Burnt Sienna and created a wet stripe down the tree trunk. Before the pigment dried I softened both edges with a clean, damp brush. This became a soft shadow on the trunk.

If you would like to get the drawing and photo references for this project, please visit my online etsy shop and click on the Online Class Icon. For $5.00 I will send you a pdf file with all of the references and the drawing so you can follow along. Most people prefer to order the references, and print the daily lessons until they are complete. Then they use the printouts as a workbook to do the painting.


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Scooter and Riley Lesson 24

Ah, the finished piece! I only wish that Scooter and Riley could enjoy this as much as I have enjoyed painting it!

If you would like to paint along with my blog lessons, you can get the photo references and drawings sent to you by visiting my etsy shop, clicking on the Online Lesson icon, and pay a small fee of $5.00. I will then email all the photo references and drawings to you. Some people have found it helpful to order the references, then print the daily blog lessons, and begin when the online postings are complete. That way, they know what is coming next and they can see what the finished piece may look like.

If you are local to Melbourne, Florida, I also teach classes and workshops locally. Check out my Classes page on my website for more information.

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