1. Watercolor Painting
Realism

2. Why Realism?
Do you remember the story about Picasso and the Ponytail girl? Remember how even Picasso, one of the most famous and prolific abstract artists of all time, started each piece or study with a realistic drawing or painting, to become familiar with the shapes, forms, shading, colors. Then he gradually departed from the realism into more experimental expressions. You too should learn to work this way. If you master realism in your painting, your abstract and expressionist work will be so much better! You will be in control of the media, as well as all of the elements of your work.

3. How to begin . . .
Begin by finding reference photos. (Photos, not drawings or paintings) You should have multiple photos unless you have gone out and shot the photo of exactly what you want to paint. Photos of the subject, the background, landscape or setting, the sky, the ground etc.

4. Put together your composition with a sketch. Put everything in place
Put together your composition with a sketch. Put everything in place. Check your proportions. Check for balance in your composition. Is there any way to improve how the viewer’s eye moves through the piece? Be sure to include detail in your area of emphasis (center of interest). Add color – block it in with color pencil. Plan to create natural looking colors. Choose your colors thoughtfully, using complementary and analogous colors. Because you are using natural looking color, these color schemes may be subtle. Strategize how to create unity by using as few tubes or pans of paint as possible to get all your colors. Select dimensions for your piece.

5. Select your specific watercolor techniques
Select your specific watercolor techniques. They may vary for one section of your painting to the next. Plan your steps for completing your painting. Don’t forget to plan for drying time.
Draw you composition onto your watercolor paper lightly in pencil.
Begin your painting. Work through your plan, and refer to your photos and sketch often!

6. When your painting is completed, trim it to size and sign it
When your painting is completed, trim it to size and sign it. Self-evaluate using the rubric and turn your painting in to the basket.

7. Animals or animal portraits make an excellent subject

15. Landscapes also make great subjects for watercolor painting

23. Don’t be afraid to try your had at painting people.

29. Or incorporate people into your landscape.