I'm experimenting a bit with ink and watercolors, learning to use these mediums to create the look I want. Not as easy as it looks when I see other peoples work, for example I can't seem to get an even wash using watercolors, without the "coliflower effect", and when I wanted some life in the background it just turned out messy. I guess I need more practise. This is from a photograph I took back in september.
This little miniature
landscape (about 10 by 10 centimetres) turned out a little more like I wanted it to, but still the blue wash for the sky is a bit messy, I wanted a smooth blue wash - how do I do that? Any tips are greately appreciated! Ink and water color, from a phograph in a book I found at home (it seems I'm always looking for motives to draw or paint these days).
I think these are lovely little paintings. I really like the flower - you did a fine job with it. One way to get an even wash of color is to go across the paper with enough paint on the brush to leave a bead of paint. Then, pick up your brush, go back to the beginning of the line, and put your brush down right where the bead is - drag your brush across the page again. Continue on in this way and you will have an even wash of color. HTH. nancy
ReplyDeleteJag har ju sett dem live, men de är såååå fina! Du har en fantastisk känsla för komposition tycker jag om jag inte har sagt det redan! (Eller, ja... jag tycker ju det ändå... det här med syftningar... ;))
ReplyDeleteI love your "messy" background in the first piece, I think it looks great! Your second little piece is really neat, great linework!
ReplyDeleteI love the way the sunflower turned out, even though it isn't what you were reaching for. It's just beautiful. Your little landscape is wonderful, also. I can't help out with watercolor tips as I can't paint a lick! But, I'm sure there are enough great artists in EDM to help you out. Good luck in your new direction.
ReplyDeleteLovely start ! Nanke's stuff has just given you a good tip! And try not to come back immediately on it once you've covered the intended space of paper.
ReplyDeleteif you want to get a very even wash you might try a beaded wash. I will give you some links on the EDM group for some videos and demos that might help. :)
ReplyDeleteThese drawings are a great start!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work! I am just transitioning from pencil to pen and watercolor too. I have come across the same problem of blotchiness instead of the smooth wash I wanted. One thing that has helped me is to use a flat brush rather than a round one to get a smoother texture.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem with my washes, especially when going around objects. I don't have them when doing just an open area because it's easy enough to then follow Nancy's advice. The only other way I can think of to do it, it to use frisket so that you can put in the washes first. But, I don't always like to use that, and I am really starting to like the less than perfect washes of a quick sketch. I think these look terrific as they are!
ReplyDeleteHere's the funny thing: I have learned to do a wash, with lots of practice. But a wash is boring. It is flat, even, uninteresting. Once I do a wash, I almost always add things to it to provide variety and interest.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, about the wash, I find some speed helps. Doing it slow there is more streaking for me. I follow the paint. Where it collects at the end of the line, I take it and bring it back with me. I keep my brush wet with color, dipping it as needed.
And I think your picture is great! My first reaction when I started reading your post was, what's wrong with it? Watercolor artists teach others to make these cauliflower effects for interest!
One tip for an even wash when going around objects (you get this in English for your follower's sake :) is to use a lot of water and work quickly.If it starts to dry you have to quit, wait and begin again. When you are ready you pour off or soak up the excess water. This way, you can add coulour as you like to keep the wash interesting without the "cauliflower effect"
ReplyDeleteCauliflowers also come when you are either a) adding water or "messing" with a wash that has started to dry OR b) add a weeker colour to a stronger. You can always add MORE colour to a wet wash, but adding more watery paint to a wash will lead to the water pushing colour away and you get the cauliflowers (which I think can be nice sometimes though... but it is of course better if it is deliberate...)
Thank you all so much for all of your comments and advise! I will definitely work on the washes (and then maybe keep some of the messyness too, since most of you seem to like that too).
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