Painting Loose In Watercolors

This course is all about helping you unlock your inner creativity and discovering ways to make your watercolor paintings unique. If you struggle with painting loosely in watercolors let me show you how to loosen up and have some fun creating interesting watercolors that leave things for the eye to interpret. I will do two demonstrations of the same subject - one leaving some white space on the paper and one covering the paper entirely, and leave it up to you as to which you prefer. At the end of the course I also will include a few videos on interesting ways to create texture in your watercolors that will help you become a more creative artist. We are only going to use three colors for this course, which will create harmony in your work.  

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Class Outline

• Introduction. In this class, artist Jean Lurssen will show you how to paint flowers by way of her watercolor painting techniques. You will learn what is unique about her methods and how to truly foster your creativity. The project involves producing two watercolor paintings: one that fills the paper, and another that leaves more white space.
  
• Materials. If you don’t already have the materials, jot down each item, and head to an art store. For this project, you will need:
  
  • Prussian Green Paint
  • Quinacridone Magenta Paint
  • Quinacridone Gold Paint
  • Regular Table Salt
  • A Small Spray Bottle Filled with Water
  • Paper Towels (or preferably, an old towel you don’t need)
  • Masking Tape and/or Clamps
  • Big-Mop Paint Brush (Size 30 or comparable)
  • Filbert Paint Brush
  • Round Sable Paint Brush
  • Hogs Hair Paint Brush
  • Cold or Hot Press Watercolor Paper
  • Cling Wrap
  • Mats for the Final Pieces

Consider buying small pieces of paper for practice paintings, and larger pieces for your actual project. If you don’t have the materials listed you can improvise and use whatever you have on hand.

• Your Composition. Make sure to watch all of the watercolor tutorials before you start painting. This decision will help you learn more quickly and save paper!
  One of the best ways to paint something is to study an actual photograph. This course will help you practice this method. You will learn about the elements of composition and principles of art that are useful in any design, including the value of odd numbers, pencil sketching, and texture.
  
• Let’s Start Painting. Now it’s time to get messy. Lurssen will show you every step of watercolor painting: pencil sketching, wetting your brush, dabbing paint, mixing, and modifying edges with wet strokes.
  Her demonstration illustrates the unique process of watercolor painting. To keep pace with the drying process, you will need to work quickly. To create more texture in your art, you will also learn how to use cling wrap.
  
• The Finishing Touches. In order to mesh with the textures left by the cling wrap, you will need to modify aspects of your painting,. This process involves using many light, delicate brush strokes. You might need to modify and remove bits of the watercolors. In this situation, spray bottles come in handy.
  
• Five Thistles: Stretch Your Creativity. In any art form, grouping elements is important, especially watercolor painting. By working on the five thistles pattern, you will understand the value of certain visual structures.
  Use this second painting to practice techniques and improve your art. Then you will see how salt plays a role. Let loose, and don’t worry so much about how the piece turns out!
  
• Finishing Touches. To polish up your painting, it’s essential that you remove the salt. This task can be a little difficult and rough on your hands, so be careful.
  Even if you are tempted to make changes, try to be reserved. Minimalism is one of the key principles of watercolor painting.
  You will finish by learning how to place your painting in a mat.