8th grade watercolor painting Step by Step

Choose a picture One we can display, One you like, and One that challenges you to mix colors and use the techniques that you have learned. Ignore lettering. If it helps. Cut it out in a rectangle. Plan a safe place to keep it. If it gets lost, you start over.

Class of 05

Format your paper so it’s congruent to the shape of your picture. 1.Cut 2” off the height and length of the watercolor paper. Save this paper for testing your colors. 2.Determine if your picture (that you chose) has a vertical or horizontal format. Lay your w.c. paper the same way on the table. 3.Lay picture in the upper left corner of your paper. 4.lay a yardstick so it connects the corners of the small picture. Draw a dot where the yardstick reaches the edge of the big paper. 5.Draw a perpendicular line at the mark. 6.Cut on the fold to remove that much paper. Save the paper.

Draw the contours Make the picture use the entire formatted area of the drawing paper Skip pencil shading Draw lightly. Show yourself where you want to change color.

Plan your painting, Step 1 Evaluate your chosen picture to see where you need to use the prepared surface (pre-treating) techniques (putting on rubber cement or crayon, or scratches) to make your picture better.

Plan step 2: Paint wet and/or large, light areas… Colors that you want to blend and flow together: minglings…wet (blendy) techniques Large light shapes…washes: Graded and Flat like for backgrounds

Plan step 3: crisp-edged areas Wet on dry techniques: (Wait for an area to dry and paint over dry, painted areas) first: large light, then small light items next: large dark, then small dark Last: details (lines and textures) with dry brush painting, stippling

Plan step 4 : any Post treat as needed. rub off any rubber cement or frisket Scratch erase or over paint with dry brush (stippling)

Steps in watercolor painting, summarized 1.Prepare the surface. 2.Work wet, large washes, or light areas 3.Work dryer, small, or dark areas next (When you need to, be sure to wait for paint to dry.) 4.Do post treating.

Before you paint… See Mrs. Sturm to discuss your plan.

As you paint… Don’t use colors straight from the paint set. Test all colors before using them on your painting. Observe all the shades and tints of color value in the picture you are looking at. Match them exactly, or make them a bit stronger. Watercolor tends to dry a bit lighter than when you put it down.

Remember, Your watercolor painting is not a photograph. It is your interpretation of the photo using watercolor.