Art Painting Techniques: Watercolor Basics

To get the most out of the brush and execute washes and details, it will be well to practice and notice how paints and strokes behave differently when other points in the handle of the brush is used. Varying the grip from the base of the ferrule to the tip of the handle creates different strokes. The farther away from the handle one goes, the smoother and finer lines are produced. That said, the following are watercolor washes that watercolor artist applies in their work in varying degrees and that no effective watercolorist cannot do without.

Flat Wash – There are three basic variations of a flat wash, the flat and even wash where the color is applied entirely without variation in shade, a light to dark wash and a dark to light wash. To do this, charge the flat brush with a liberal amount of paint starting in a corner (no matter which, work for conveninece as this depends on whether you are left handed or right handed), touch the paper gently with the brush and pull the paint to the other corner. Execute the brush stroke so that the paint flow as even as possible. The next brush strokes must overlap near the edge of the preceding stroke. If the paint does not flow evenly, increase the angle of your board.

Always keep a blotting paper near to control the flow and when there is too much dripping, work faster and blot the drips away. Refill the brush as needed and keep the tone even. Repeat the process until you have achieved the wash desired. To “cut” the edges, use the flat edge of the brush. If beads run downwards, pick this using the wick action of the brush. Every color in your palette has their own drying properties so try different washes using different colors. Try also drying out the paper at an angle as this technique tends to settle out the pigment with the paper texture.

Graded Wash – The aim here is to achieve a wash where the value of the color changes smoothly from dark to light. Graded washes often used in landscape painting to paint an open sky, although there are lots of other applications for this technique. The process is very similar to the flat wash except that in creating a graded wash you could either start by painting the paper with a darker value working yourself to the bottom with lighter paint (or water) to decrease the intensity of the color.

Glazed Wash – This technique uses another color as wash over another color to arrive at a glazed over effect. Basically glazing is painting a transparent color on top of another that produces different effects and values to the color underneath.

SourcedFrom The artist says: Thanks for reading my contemporary art blog! If you are involved in the art and culture industry in any way, and would like to syndicate content from or to this blog, or if you simply enjoy art and would like to get in touch, please leave a comment! This article has been kindly provided by: articlesbase

Posted by admin   @   7 March 2010
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Mar 7, 2010
9:17 am
#1 Tropical_Birds :

Chatter: indoor birds and interior painting? http://bit.ly/alocpG

Mar 7, 2010
9:18 pm
#2 Localcharleston :

Lowcountry Oyster Boat Plein Air Painting in a SC Fishi… – http://fx.ly/a/186_2652eb17c3

Mar 8, 2010
9:19 am
#3 CinfulBrown :

All finished looks really nice RT getting ready 4 class now. How’d the painting go?

Mar 8, 2010
9:18 pm
#4 CFASugarLand :

Thanks to everyone who attended our Painting with a Twist Family Night. It was a HUGE success and a lot of fun…. http://fb.me/68SS2ZU

Mar 9, 2010
9:20 am
#5 FishingWithDad :

“Tommy Ellis…The man behind the paintbrush” http://tinyurl.com/yjlraot

Mar 9, 2010
9:20 pm
#6 Reject6 :

3-10-10. I’m ready, past faded, picture painting on deck…

Mar 10, 2010
9:19 am
#7 CRISDELARA_ART :

Listening KC and Sunshine Band and painting!!!!! uhhuuuu!!!

Mar 10, 2010
9:17 pm
#8 RustyDawgPetPro :

RT New! From This I Came – framed original oil painting on canvas 8×10: $185.00 The folded canvas… http://bit.ly/cyNPr4

Mar 11, 2010
9:19 am
#9 AbsolutTobsen :
Mar 11, 2010
9:17 pm
#10 alexcongrains :

I just saw, wtf I aint painting my hoohaa like those models. Why do we need that shiiiit

Mar 12, 2010
9:17 am
#11 HeyBrickk :

Painting Flowers – All Time Low. Their best release in a while. I dig it.

Mar 12, 2010
9:18 pm
#12 BekahMacIntyre :

Blah, it’s warm! Painting and writing seems to be the future hours

Mar 13, 2010
9:17 am
#13 adsks88 :

The Simple Secrets To Body Repair and Painting http://bit.ly/bodyrepair

Mar 13, 2010
9:17 pm
#14 lyssophobe :

: At first, I thought you’d said something about painting the couch and wanted to shout “WAIT – THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS!” LOL

Mar 14, 2010
9:34 am
#15 Tiffany_Morgan :

I find it really funny that you procrastinated by painting your toe nails

Mar 14, 2010
10:17 am
#16 bik0n :

I favorited a YouTube video — Speed Painting Masters – Angouleme 2009 http://youtu.be/u7oqwMi8qi0?a

Mar 14, 2010
10:18 pm
#17 Sarasotahndymn :

handyman and painting projects require careful planning, scheduling (941) 580-9542

Mar 15, 2010
10:20 am
#18 Danterowley :

Up bright and early for the gym and some painting.. Gotta hustle to succeed

Mar 15, 2010
10:20 pm
#19 Kate_Saunders :

RT Purple and Sage – VT based Property Maintenance Co helps you gear up 4 Spring. Painting & more! http://pitch.pe/51847

Mar 16, 2010
10:21 am
#20 Sara_Alattiya :
Mar 16, 2010
10:20 pm
#21 sftweetifier :

PAINTING SAVE MONEY BEST PRICE San Francisco/Peninsula/East Bay Area) http://3taps.com/p/BA5ZTY

Mar 17, 2010
10:18 am
#22 tgn_news :

Orks: Deff Dread Stage-by-Stage Assembly & Painting http://www.tabletopgamingnews.com/2010/03/17/34463

Mar 17, 2010
10:20 pm
#23 georgecharleson :

how do you find face painting?

Mar 17, 2010
10:20 pm
#24 Evayne :

I have yet to begin a new painting. I already got a concept down. Like I said, it’s a HEARTBREAKER. P.S. I’m a Surrealist.

Mar 18, 2010
10:18 am
#25 TimelordTotty :

I forgot how irritating weight painting a tie is. But on the place side the blendshape is still working.

Mar 18, 2010
10:20 pm
#26 beaudge78 :

START PRODUCING HOCKEY STICKS AND PAINTING THEM IN CANADA INSTEAD OF CHINA!

Mar 19, 2010
10:21 am
#27 cosminneagu :

WOW !!!! Famous People Painting – Discussing the Divine Comedy with Dante http://bit.ly/5rpE3

Mar 19, 2010
10:20 pm
#28 harbisonC :

Painted a painting. Too bad I don’t have a camera within arms reach. Sad day

Mar 20, 2010
10:18 am
#29 Sarasotahndymn :

Exterior & Interior House Painting by a professional Call today (941)244-3507

Mar 20, 2010
10:17 pm
#30 njuliebell :

Fun Day at Com As U R Art Gallery & Gifts.. Had a some shoppers, did a some painting, looked at beautiful pictures… http://fb.me/uw3OSxCY

Mar 21, 2010
10:20 am
#31 leacyc :

Painting with a Twist | Lafayette > Calendar – March 2010 http://shar.es/mfce2

Mar 21, 2010
10:20 pm
#32 ocwiifitgal :

Calf is good. It’s been getting bit of workout last few weekends from painting inside house – squats & calf raises!

Mar 22, 2010
10:22 am
#33 dmq26 :

chilling then i can get back to my painting, commission should be finished soon, then 2 more to do then and i can paint something i want lol

Mar 22, 2010
10:22 am
#34 lisaguarino :

RT Abstract Mare and Foal Oil Painting http://item.ebay.com/330415466579

Mar 22, 2010
10:18 pm
#35 SamGavin :

Watching ‘Crank’ and painting my nails….I love Jason Statham.

Mar 23, 2010
10:22 am
#36 ThePhoenixx :

Finishing prints today, doing some show ordering and painting. It is cloudy today so the dog will not be bugging me to go outside at least.

Mar 23, 2010
10:21 pm
#37 kasten :

after a long day of tortured painting I am working up a syllabus for a 2D design class- I barely remember taking 2D design.

Mar 24, 2010
10:18 am
#38 smwallace :

School is all under control under this Watchdog’s eye. Played games, did a little painting, walking, coffee drinking, reading about flam …

Mar 24, 2010
10:20 pm
#39 whallart :

Cream, Grey, & Metallic Copper, 3ft painting http://bit.ly/cDWA8g. Oddly organic in spite of my use of metallics. “Resolution Hybrid”

Mar 25, 2010
10:19 am
#40 GarrettPerrella :

In the process of tie painting I have also painted my jacket and jeans

Mar 25, 2010
10:20 pm
#41 rafyn :

oh ok then….. I’m painting my nail useing aqualip I’m makeing paws on my nail….. http://myloc.me/5eYMB

Mar 26, 2010
10:18 am
#42 reviewingcigars :

No Luke, definitely not! The house is a wreck b/c we’re painting this wknd, so that contributed to it I’m sure…

Mar 26, 2010
10:21 pm
#43 okaystock :

A line Strapless Court Train Satin Organza Plus Size Wedding Dresses for Bride X076: Oil Painting with Stretch.. http://bit.ly/aj29uv

Mar 27, 2010
10:21 am
Mar 27, 2010
10:20 pm
#45 djmikeg1200 :

saw my grandmas reflection off the glass of a painting at the same time. she was living the time (http://stickam.com/wengradio ) null

Mar 28, 2010
10:21 am
#46 Evil1iv3 :

Face painting

Mar 28, 2010
10:18 pm
#47 MacabreNoir :

FINALLY got rolling on the white rabbit painting! completed alice last spring, i’m really not looking into making this a series though.

Mar 29, 2010
10:19 am
#48 ElementsofKY :

Add a punch of color to a room in your home with an accent pillow, rug, or painting!- So Simple. So Chic.

Mar 29, 2010
10:19 pm
#49 jishnuvv :

Saw in a wall painting ad on the way to near “Ookkan’s lodge”

Mar 30, 2010
10:18 am
Mar 30, 2010
10:18 pm
#51 LittleHEROSMag :

in a drawing, a painting, a sculpture. Film makers portray it in images larger than life. But how do you know if you have it?

Mar 31, 2010
10:21 am
#52 pinneedles :

Painting grass/stems on the back of the LB girl scout hut. Thank you so much for being talented… Why couldnt i have been good at math…

Mar 31, 2010
10:21 pm
#53 JonK_IsSoSmooth :

forget to get some “fresh” air while you’re painting! how’s it coming along?

Apr 1, 2010
10:21 am
#54 rottenbanana :

I love sleeping in. Today is so beautiful to bad most of it is going to be spent painting -_-

Apr 1, 2010
10:19 pm
#55 Sarasotahndymn :

House & Stucco Painting Interior/Exterior 941.244.3507

Apr 2, 2010
10:18 am
#56 sarahd610 :

Twitlonger: NeEeEeEW competition! :] You should drawing,writing,painting anything on eggs and it should be about http://bit.ly/duQCb2

Apr 2, 2010
10:21 pm
#57 oconnorcarly :

Watching _The Princess Diaries_ while painting this picture frame thing.

Apr 3, 2010
10:21 am
#58 martiy :

Seconded RT how the ballsacs did Chloe know that Lois tore the painting?

Apr 3, 2010
10:21 pm
#59 strangegirl76 :

and by pic I mean painting. :)

Apr 4, 2010
10:21 am
#60 MasenCroft :

Painting my toes. About to head out to see the familys.

Apr 4, 2010
10:21 pm
#61 xHollyDolly12x :

Painting the Barbie table. XD http://flic.kr/p/7QUGht

Apr 5, 2010
10:21 am
#62 LiveDevFeeds :

Ligh Painting Guide by Christopher Hibbert http://bit.ly/9AHNcD

Apr 5, 2010
10:19 pm
#63 FelineRoyalty :

For animal lovers: Caique Parrots Sticker: Airbrush painting of two Caique parrots by avian artist, Carolyn McFann. http://bit.ly/b0mE8V

Apr 6, 2010
10:21 am
#64 susan_boyle_ :

New post: Susan: I’m no Boyle painting – 340th Edition (http://cli.gs/5nHnS)

Apr 6, 2010
10:21 pm
#65 JoeBuchan2010 :

im well. just up working on my newest painting. An MJ tribute

Apr 7, 2010
10:19 am
#66 Kaydog14 :

Painting at shareenas! Please come if you are free!!

Apr 7, 2010
10:21 pm
#67 BuzzManipur :

Painting competition held http://goo.gl/fb/hJDdP

Apr 8, 2010
10:21 am
#68 nanielas :

RT black box atualizado: longa exposição e light painting: http://www.fotolog.com.br/blackbox_album comente lá e dê um RT aqui.

Apr 8, 2010
10:20 pm
#69 Aymsorb :

Heading to bed to (hopefully) dream of Tony Stark! (But most likely ending up with space marines since that’s what I’m painting these days.)

Apr 9, 2010
10:19 am
#70 80sAirwaves :

80s Music Videos ~ Now Playing: James McMurtry – Painting By Numbers (from Too Long in the Wasteland – 1989) ♫ http://blip.fm/~odaie

Apr 9, 2010
10:21 pm
#71 iamsupersuper :

RT Draw head Painting life are the easiest hard thing. But we all just could say and didnt do do do it..

Apr 10, 2010
10:19 am
#72 Dipitycs :

p.s. atleast you aren’t painting nails, watching bolt and eatting BON BONS bc then it would be INTERVENTION TIME

Apr 10, 2010
10:21 pm
#73 Sky_Bluez :

Pedicure, massage, shopping, painting my whole upstairs and I have about 50 books I want to read. I’m so wild & crazy ; )

Apr 11, 2010
10:21 am
#74 izzabieber :

done packing my bag nd painting my nails. tyme to online nw. its quite late , guess ill b sleeping late tonight ;O

Apr 11, 2010
10:19 pm
#75 K_Cynthia :

I have work in the morning and I haven’t finished taking my notes I haven’t finished my laundry and I haven’t finished painting my nails!

Apr 12, 2010
10:21 am
#76 NVPTheMidlands :

Great Deals on Painting this week!! Give us a call 1-888-217-2745 or 803-731-4418

Apr 12, 2010
10:20 pm
#77 ska_o_licious :

Is trapped inside an oil painting

Apr 13, 2010
10:21 am
#78 Arctic_Bunny :

Ink Concept Images for my next animated film. Painting in ink is fun! http://www.arcticbunnyblog.blogspot.com/

Apr 13, 2010
10:21 pm
#79 thebearguy :

I’ve been working on a new painting most of today, but I’m getting cabin fever, can’t wait to go outside and get some fresh air.

Apr 14, 2010
10:21 am
#80 stylesforliving :

When painting be sure to prepare the room! Take your time, do it right, it will take time but will improve your results a ton

Apr 14, 2010
10:21 pm
#81 laurahana :

http://twitpic.com/1fojlb – Love the circles for cheeks. Painting time. :)

Apr 15, 2010
10:19 am
#82 MutualArt :

Check out “Colorscope: Abstract Painting from the Permanent Collection” at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art http://bit.ly/bepSGc

Apr 15, 2010
10:21 pm
#83 PolHucknAli :

RT If our new video get over 250,000 by end of tomorrow, I will give and random retweener this painting http://yfrog.com/bcz1uj

Apr 16, 2010
10:22 am
#84 EverywordIsay2 :

RT If our new video get over 250,000 by end of tomorrow, I will give and random retweener this painting http://yfrog.com/bcz1uj

Apr 16, 2010
10:21 pm
#85 wbBradPitt :

Check This Out: Interior Painting Texas – Change Development provides affordable interior painting to Texas residen… http://ow.ly/175KWD

Apr 17, 2010
10:21 am
#86 sayjay09 :

Wow, nearly a year later, today i finally finish off painting this apartment.

Apr 17, 2010
10:21 pm
#87 infinityonlopps :

awww <3 RT I am still painting flowers for you…

Apr 18, 2010
10:18 am
#88 xStopHatingDemi :

painting my nails =)

Apr 18, 2010
10:21 pm
#89 sarah_jayne4 :

RT 447: justin said he tried painting his nails before but failed…completely.

Apr 19, 2010
10:19 am
#90 mattsmity :

update for Cat fans! USA US 769260 Ba In Art – Painting Kansas State University: Ba In Art – Painting (769260), US… http://bit.ly/aWKV5X

Apr 19, 2010
10:21 pm
#91 I3lukoolaid :

Lifting the Ford Anger this friday. Also doing some rim work and interior painting. Should look pretty radical.

Apr 20, 2010
10:22 am
#92 EmmaRoseSucks :

painting time again haha, got to earn the money someway :D

Apr 20, 2010
10:21 pm
#93 _emilypotterk :

Home; mychildren mybride on ipod; working on a painting. Yup. Text?

Apr 21, 2010
10:22 am
#94 noka529 :

RT RT Brothers and Sisters: Bloggers and Sisters http://bit.ly/ahUNzl, my interview on ABC.com

Apr 21, 2010
10:21 pm
#95 Anthrazitdrache :

Ich mag ein YouTube-Video. — Speed Painting Photorealism… Again. http://youtu.be/f-TYO0cGFmQ?a

Apr 22, 2010
10:22 am
#96 lifeartdreams :

love this painting! It’s beautiful!

Apr 22, 2010
10:21 pm
#97 tayylaah :

Painting my nails :)

Apr 23, 2010
10:19 am
#98 Elena_Savi :

just got your new issue guys, totally awesome stuff on painting faces!!! a m a z i n g …

Apr 23, 2010
10:21 pm
#99 faristudios :

-me too! been home sick all week. no painting for me:(

Apr 24, 2010
10:21 am
#100 hungarybud :

Awesome!That’s exactly what I was thinking about!Painting songs!! RT album.Click to watch: http://j.mp/9Xfwlj

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