Watercolor Technique Landscape A lesson in watercolor, color theory, space and composition.

Watercolor Techniques

The big idea Create a 2 dimensional painting that gives the illusion of space through the use of atmospheric perspective and overlapping objects, understands basic compositional rules such as the rule of thirds, learns to apply beginning watercolor techniques, and color theory to create a unified painting.

Technique Grid http://safeshare.tv/w/XjgtdOIqXF Flat wash Graded wash Glazing Wet on wet Wet blend Dry brush Stippling Negative painting Vinegar Pushing out pigment Lifting off Detail painting Hard and soft edges Opaque/transparen t Salt Water blooms Wet and dry scratch Credit card swipe Water color pencil with sandpaper on wet paint Burlap Sponging Alcohol on lid Plastic wrap Splatter Masking tape/fluid Student choice Here is a link to a technique grid video that you can refer to before demonstrating with class. I went through and demonstrated each one and the students did them with me. I had them divide the paper into 3 sections (every 3”) across and into 9 sections going down (every 1.5”) for a 9 x 13.5” piece of paper. http://safeshare.tv/w/XjgtdOIqXF (this is the first of a series of 4), you can find the other parts in the series by typing in Watercolor techniques for beginners on YouTube.

The Process

Find Reference Demonstrate how to simplify shapes and keep visual interest to students. They should have at least 6-8 areas/shapes in their paintings. Overlapping create visual space as well as objects getting smaller as the recede into the distance.

Create Outline/Simplify Shapes Make at least 6-8 shapes Shapes should overlap Get smaller as they recede into the distance Demonstrate how to simplify shapes and keep visual interest to students. They should have at least 6-8 areas/shapes in their paintings. Overlapping create visual space as well as objects getting smaller as the recede into the distance. You can have student use tracing paper, or the window/light box if desired. They can also draw directly onto their reference using the black markers to help them identify shapes in their reference.

When you go to create your thumbnail version of your reference: Think about Composition The word composition means combining or putting together parts to form a whole. Composition can apply to many works of human endeavor including music and writing – in fact anything that is arranged or ‘put together’ using conscious thought.

Let’s talk about Composition Specifically let’s talk about a rule of composition called, The Rule of Thirds. Learning ‘rules’ about art can seem stifling or constricting – if all artists just follow a set of rules then their art would look very similar and become very boring. Many original artists manage to break or ‘bend’ these rules or conventions, but to do so successfully they first had to fully understand the rules and conventions.

Rule of Thirds [Remember, rules are there to be broken - once you understand and can follow them!] Divide the image into thirds as shown – If the main visual components (things in the image) lie on or near the lines then the image often tends to look ‘right’. In this image the horizon line is on one of the bisectors.

Which image do you prefer? Which image more closely follows the rule of thirds?

Which image do you prefer? Which image more closely follows the rule of thirds?

Have them draw their thumbnails to scale Have them draw their thumbnails to scale. In other words, our paper is cut to 8” x 20” a strong vertical, I had them draw their thumbnails ¼ scale, so 2” x 5”. Each inch = 4” on the actual paper. Then mark off where the rule of thirds would fall. I have them put their horizon on the upper rule of thirds. So they start with the simplified shapes on the horizon and build forward. You can also use a different sized paper. For younger students it may be better to use a proportional paper to a landscape, so horizontal format. Thumbnails at least 2

Color plan test This is an extremely important step, that cannot be skipped. This will be a miniature version of your painting. However, after doing this if you don’t like the color scheme, change it and practice the other scheme again. I changed the green to a darker blue.

Technique Tests I had my students do these larger than our technique grid and also label them according to which area they would use that technique on in their painting.

Student Final Painting in Process

Final Painting Use of 3-4 techniques practiced and mastered. Color plan uses predominately cool colors with one warm color. (Yours can be the opposite) Color Plan test was done first. Keep colors saturated (bright) for this painting Outlined in black Sharpie. These paintings aren’t realistic, they should be almost like stained glass when they are done. Some students did the sharpie after painting, other before, and still others, including me, before and after. They can do what makes them comfortable.

Student Process Example

Reference

Thumbnails

Technique tests

Color Plan test

Final Painting

Reference

Technique tests

Color Plan test

Final Painting

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work

Student Work

Materials 9” x 13.5” Watercolor Paper for Technique Grid 8” x 20” Watercolor Paper (or the size you choose to do) (We did ours as a strong vertical, it may be better for younger students to use a horizontal format and work smaller.) Watercolor Paper Scraps I cut these down to small strips that were proportional to our paintings for the color plan, and roughly into squares for the technique tests. Brushes and Water Cups Sharpie Markers (Thick) Copy paper for thumbnail drawings Watercolor Paint (Red, Blue, Yellow tube paint is best) More colors can be provided, but students can mix any color using these three primary colors. I gave my students violet and permanent rose as well as the primary colors. For techniques: I used small plastic cups with lids, put them on a cart and had student get them as they came in that day. Small Plastic Cups with Lids Rubbing Alcohol and Vinegar Masking Tape/Fluid Salt (Sea Salt and Table Salt Sponges Sand paper Watercolor Pencils (optional) Eye droppers (optional) Plastic Wrap Bubble Wrap/Burlap (optional) Teacher Notes

How I display lesson plan for students: Teacher Notes: I have them turn all of this in as a packet and give credit for going through the process, not just for the final result.