Vivid Blending Watercolor

Supply List pdf

link to video on Youtube

Scroll to the bottom of the page to share your work!

please do not share this page or the video recording

Workshop Prep

Before the workshop begins please prepare the following:

  • Pencil drawing on 100% cotton watercolor paper

    • feel free to use a light box or transfer paper

    • your painting should 8x8in or similar size

  • Have your space set up for painting

    • don’t forget extra paper for testing colors

    • a hair dryer will be helpful

  • Make sure you can view the Zoom screen and be able to see your reference photo.

note: This image has been enhanced so the drawing is more visible

reference photo

Vivid Colors

Creating vivid works of art starts with your palette!

  • select high chroma colors

    • look for single pigment colors

    • fluorescent colors are not light fast

  • how do your color mix?

    • transitional hues in a blend

    • mixing on the palette

    • glazing

  • how do your colors behave?

    • how far do they disperse?

    • which colors dominate a mix?

    • notice any granulating and opaque colors

    • which colors create interesting watercolor effects?

Get to know your palette by testing out your colors. Use the same kind of paper as your class project.

Wet-on-wet

wet on wet start

creating a cohesive wash that transitions between the lightest values of green and red.

  1. green gold on the tips

  2. quin red + transparent pyrrole orange

  3. ultramarine blue and quin red at the bottom

  4. more green gold to “push” the red out of the tips

  5. let dry

“Untangling” wet on wet

adding structure and deepening color

  • wet on wet one section at a time

  • defining each “fin” with adding deeper color in adjacent areas

  • be sure you are working with bright middle tones

Background

a flat wash background with dark value under our subject

  1. mix background color: quin red + ultramarine

  2. wet background area with large brush

  3. apply color

  4. drop dark color: payne’s grey

  5. leave it alone!

Softening

Softening refers to spreading out paint with a clean damp brush to create a soft transition.

  1. apply color

  2. swish your brush clean

  3. tap on paper towel to remove some moisture

  4. use damp brush to spread out mixture

  5. swish and tap brush clean as needed

Tips

  • avoid flooding the area with too much water - remember to tap

  • try pushing and pulling the color out

  • a light edge is fine

  • let things dry

  • DON’T GET TOO FUSSY

Middle Values

creating soft transitions to build middle tones and to layer dark values on top of

  • quin red + green gold

  • quin red + ultramarine

  • green gold + cobalt teal

Dark Values

adding depth and structure with the darkest tones

  • quin red + transparent pyrrole orange + ultramarine

  • adding payne’s grey in select areas

 

Made with Padlet

Feedback

Did you enjoy the workshop? I’d love to hear what worked for you and what I can improve. Let me know what other kinds of workshops you would be interested in!