Wet in Wet watercolor Metods

Class Demo

For this assignment begin with:

• On a 140 lb. Arches Watercolor Paper, begin with wetting the paper with a good size watercolor brush (1 1/2" for a quarter sheet of paper, 3" watercolor brush for a full sheet) use the largest brush that you are comfortable with.  Often times students use to small a brush in wet in wet washes. 
• Be sure you have a good composition plan before you begin by sketching in your sketch book. 
• Complete a watercolor value plan in black and white.  Have passages of the light value area, middle value area ,and dark value areas. This creates patterns that unify and give structure to the painting. 
• Have your pigment or hues you have chosen ready on the palette before you begin. 

I will be using the Old Masters Limited Palette of Yellow Ocher, (my yellow), Burnt Sienna, my red) and Paynes Gray, (my blue). All other colors greens, oranges, and violets will be mixed from these three primary colors. Yes the color harmony is very muted (low intensity).
Step by step examples are forth coming. 

Taggart Lake Painting Series

Taggart Lake is a favorite family hiking area as well as Surprise Lake in the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. The Above painting is a watercolor palette of Cobalt Turquoise Light, Cobalt Blue and Nickle Azo Yellow. The red range from Winsor Red to Indian Red. A great day.
I love the striking white Granite rock in this area with the dynamic vertical pine. 

Here is another view of Taggart Lake this painting is completed with an earth palette of Ultramarine Blue, Raw Sienna and Quinacridone Burnt Sienna.  Logs and rocks are powerful patterns and unique underwater challenge.

Watercolor Flat Washes and Leaving Whites Assignment 1