Sketching With Watercolor
Using watercolor for sketching is joyful. It fosters a healthy habit of ease to get your subject on paper quick. Watercolor is more forgiving than many other options I’ve heard many a time. Yes, you can make changes most often. No, your picture is not a onetime hit or miss!
Certain colors are “tints” and yes, those are rather
permanent. But when dry, you can paint a darker color over the offending area. There
are cleaning sponges made by Mr. Clean that when wet will erase by rubbing areas
of a painting.
Using “just-for-kids” Prange watercolor paints, sold in plastic container
pallets, are a good way to start. I was an art facilitator for memory impaired
seniors, and the seniors made wonderful paintings with the Prange paints!
Choose your “inspiration piece”, a subject sample photo or memory piece,
watercolor paper, water bowl, brush and you’re set. Arches watercolor paper is the
best grade and takes a good amount of water. Canson watercolor paper does not
tolerate that much water, though it’s a good second.
More advantages for sketching with watercolor:
1) Doesn’t need lots of time
2) Helps to simplify the
approach to the sketch
3) It’s a study tool to
develop a rendering of a subject
4) It’s a great way to test
different techniques
5) It minimizes the fear of ‘beginning’
It may thrill you to loosen up your painting approach. Many watercolorists love
to use it for a loose free flowing approach—myself included.
So, here are a few related tips:
* Use larger brushes to avoid
going for detailing
* Let the watercolor flow—wonderful
things can happen, even encourage it with water spray
* Simplify your subject for an
impression
* Focus on darks and lights to
shape your rendering
* Leave some white spaces for
highlights
Links & Supplies:
* Watercolor
paper: for example “140lb Arches” is the best for lots of water. Canson is good
though tolerates less water. Purchase what you can afford and test it.
* You also might pick up a small travel pallet of watercolor paints for outings,
packing light.
Online class links will help you get started & energized:
https://cathyjohnson.info/art-classes/
https://sketchbookskool.com/
https://www.shopalisaburke.com/collections/online-classes
And Craftsy classes
Deborah Lyn Stanley is an author writing non-fiction articles, essays, and stories. She is an artist; crafting in textiles, fabric and watercolor.
Author’ Books site: https://healingthrucreativearts.blogspot.com/
Artist’s Blog: https://deborahstanleyinspirations.blogspot.com/
Please follow me on Facebook, Pinterest & LinkedIn
https://www.facebook.com/deborah.stanley.393/about/www.pinterest.com/deborahlyn7913
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahlyn-stanley-971bb32b7/
