No...This is not one of those smart projects that you artists are used to. I'm not hosting any watercolor event or challenge :) My Project Watercolors is for me to learn to paint with water colors.
I'm learning from tutorials on the web especially on Youtube. I watched a few on painting trees. And then I tried painting one here -
And I'm not too happy with it. Nevertheless, it is a start.
Ever since I started getting into art a couple of months ago, I wanted to buy watercolors but wasn't getting the time to. I only had a Faber-Castell Watercolor Pencils set. I tried my hand with it while trying to color my earlier Nimbu Mirchi sketch and the result was pathetic -
It was the same in the Namaste piece I submitted to PPF and Soul Challenge last week. I wasn't able to render exactly what I had in mind because I just didn't know how to handle the Watercolor pencils.
The last time I'd tried my hand at watercolors was a few years ago with these daffodils -
It looked nice and colorful overall but there were no true watercolor techniques in it. It was more like coloring with crayons. Of course, I didn't have video tutorials then.
So I've decided to take up this project of learning watercolors. I'm not fixing myself any deadline...at least not now. Please do give me any tips and suggestions you might have. Happy PPF!
I am the last person who should give tips but I do want to say don't give up and have fun. I have been working with watercolors and watercolor pencils for awhile. I've had lots of people tell me to try acrylics but I love how a watercolor painting looks. The only real tip I can give is that when I paint alot my pictures start to look better. Unfortunately, I don't do that enough. I think both your tree and your daffodils look great.
ReplyDeleteYours was the first comment withing minutes of hitting the Publish button. It was so encouraging to read it. Thank you Ginny!
DeleteHi there! Happy PPF to you! I love what you wrote about learning on YouTube... that's the first place I always look for new ideas and inspiration. I also tell all my students to there for great "how tos"!
ReplyDeleteHappy Painting!
Renee
xoxo
Happy PPF! Yes...what'd people like me do without YouTube?
DeleteHow great that you are taking up the project of learning watercolors!
ReplyDeleteI always love learning new processes, too! :)
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
Thanks Mary. Once I'm happy with my progress at watercolors maybe I'll come to you for learning mixed-media map art! Your paintings are so interesting.
DeleteGreat goal! I have have been playing alot with them and having fun but I doubt I am using the right/best process. The daffodils are gorgeous and I like your tree - great job so far!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eva. Watercolors always mesmerized me. Hope to be making decent stuff in some time.
DeleteBoth of the paintings are great...........its all about the adventure so just have fun with it. Happy PPF, Annette x
ReplyDeleteThanks Annette. Happy PPF to you too!
DeleteYour tree is great. It has wonderful lines and the leaves have been placed on both sides of the branches. One suggestion I have is this. In your beautiful watercolor of the daffodils, you have used several different greens for the leaves. I'm wondering if you could add some yellow green leaves at the ends of some of the branches of the tree where the sun is hitting them. Maybe some other greens on the background trees like a more blue-gray green to show distance. I'm also not one to give advice. Just suggestions.
ReplyDeleteAh...I didn't do the sunlight on the tree at all. Thanks Faye...I know what I must keep in mind next time. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the daffodils! I have a tree painting of my own that I'm not happy with either. Can't figure out what it needs - but I know inspiration will hit out of nowhere and I'll be able to fix it!!
ReplyDeleteHappy PPF!
Thanks Anne! Do share the tree when you are done with it. I'd love to see it and get inspired too!
DeleteVery pretty paintings - those daffodils are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tricia!
DeleteHere's my tip, buy large pads of watercolor paper, then cut it up into smaller pieces. Having a stack of paper makes it very easy to experiment and practice, it doesn't feel wasteful.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great tip Carla. Thanks!
DeleteI admire your perseverance. Don't be too hard on yourself as every first step counts. You are on your way. I am a beginner in watercolor paintings too. I am learning from books and on the internet. I want to help share some tips with you:
ReplyDelete1. I love this watercolor site of Bob Davies who offers easy to follow videos, free ebook and he is selling dvds of watercolor secrets which I believe contains so much more infos on watercolor. Here it is: http://www.watercoloursecrets.com/videos.html
2. I just want to share with you my journey in watercolor painting. I am no expert but we could all learn from another. Please check here: http://harmonythoughts.com/category/watercolor/page/4
I hope I am able to help you somehow. :)
I am using Pebeo Watercolors and the results is quite awesome. I got more paints of other brands but just focus on one brand at a time.
I wish you all the best on your watercolor journey. I am excited to see more of your works soon. Lovely daffodils!
Thanks so much Elisa for all those wonderful tips and great sites. Good to hear I'm not alone in my Project Watercolors! :) Let's keep each other company by sharing our experiences, tips and sites as we go ahead. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteWell I'd be pretty happy with those daffodils no matter how they were painted. This is something I need to do, myself. Watercolor is such a different creature than I'm used to and can't really be used the way I normally use oils and acrylics. I need to get in there and practice but haven't devoted the proper time to it, yet. Enjoy the adventure!
ReplyDeleteYou must start with the best products you can afford. Inferior products will frustrate you and hamper your learning process. I like Windsor and Newton products from the paint, to the paper and brushes. Have fun!
ReplyDelete