Tips And Techniques For Abstract Watercolor Painting Success

By Jayne Rutledge


As an aspiring abstract watercolor painting artist, there are a number of tips and techniques that can help you get started. This kind of art can be massively satisfying for artists, but it can also present its challenges. For more satisfying results, follow some of the tips below and mix them with your own experimentation and exploration of style.

Getting prepared to work with watercolors is a very simple act. Mixing the paints is as easy as adding a couple of drops of water to the palette and combining it. Getting the right consistency can take a little trial and error, but it can be remedied by working with the liquid to paint ratio.

One of the first things you need to realize when using it is that it will always dry a lighter color than what it appears when you are applying the brushstrokes. It might take a little bit of trial and error in order to work out how to mix the colors to your liking. If you are finding that your canvases are drying too light, then you will need to play around with the paint to water ratio that you are using.

In addition to being lighter than you might expect, this style remains translucent. This can be challenging for the artist because if you make an error, it is difficult to hide it. When you are working with acrylics or oils, you can simply go over the top of the mistake. If you do make an error using this medium, you will have to be careful. You can sometimes apply more over the top, but it may not work satisfactorily; trial and error is required.

Many artists recommend making a simple sketch of your subject before beginning with the real thing. This will help you to plan where and how you will composite the picture. Taking the time to do this can save you a lot of frustration and errors.

Limiting the range of colors that you use is often recommended by long-time watercolor enthusiasts. When using more than around three hues in a piece, the effect can be busy and appear overcrowded. Limit your palette while you are a beginner and experiment with the effect before branching out further along the line.

The quality of your materials is very important when you are experimenting with this style. You can economize on paper or paints, but high quality brushes are essential. Cheaper bristles will often come loose as you paint and stick to the paper. This can be very frustrating as it can ruin a picture.

Abstract watercolor painting is an excellent style to try when you are beginning because it is less obvious when an error is made. As you become more skilled with the style and more experienced with the challenges that come with watercolors, you can expand your repertoire and try more realistic subjects. This kind of art can be challenging, but incredibly rewarding as well. By experimenting and applying some of the above advice, you will develop your own style and begin to get good results.




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