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Q&A for How to Approach Watercolor Painting As a Beginner

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Question

Can you use watercolor on printer paper?

Kelly Medford
Art Teacher & Painter
Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.

Kelly Medford

Art Teacher & Painter

Expert Answer

Use printer paper for rough drafts and sketches. Printer paper is a little more flimsy than specialized watercolor paper, so painting on it usually leads to warping. But you can still use it to experiment with ideas or colors before committing to a final design.

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Question

How do I clean watercolor brushes?

Community Answer

Just swirl them around in water a few times and they should be good. Unlike acrylics, the paint will not permanently damage your brushes if they aren't perfectly clean, as it will reactivate when in contact with water again.

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Question

How do you use water colour tubes?

Community Answer

Squeeze a little bit of the paint out and then dip a brush in water. Then mix the water into the tiny blob of paint. It is now ready to use.

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Question

What kind of paper should I use?

Community Answer

Newsprint paper is ideal for practicing strokes. Watercolor paper is ideal for painting and practicing techniques. It is thicker and softer than normal paper. It also also has a slight, bumpy texture to it. You buy it at an art supply store.

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Question

Do I need to draw the subject first with pencil, or do I scratch it with a light paint color?

Community Answer

It's better to sketch out with pencil to avoid mistakes.

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Question

How would I get rid of pencil marks from my sketches after painting?

Community Answer

You should make any pencil marks very pale or erase them until they're almost gone (but still visible) before you start painting. Then they should not be visible once you've painted over them.

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Question

How can I use water color pencils?

Community Answer

First, make sure you you have the right paper. Using printer paper won't work nearly as well as watercolor paper. There's two ways to use the pencils. One way is to just color with the dry pencil and then add water with a paintbrush later. The other way is to dip the tip of the pencil into the water and draw with that. (Note that if the pencil tip is wet, it will write darker.)

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Question

How do I know how much water to add?

Community Answer

Start with a drop of water from the point of a clean brush. When you mix it in, the paint should be watery. Test it out on a sheet of scrap paper. If it is too dark, add more water, drop by drop, until you get the lightness you want.

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Question

What would be a simple, colorful scene to begin with?

Community Answer

Painting a sunset will teach you the basics of color blending, and they usually turn out really pretty.

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Question

How do I flatten out a watercolor painting after it is dry so it will mount flat in a frame?

Community Answer

Put painting face down on big flat glass, and put a damp (but not soaked) towel on it, covering the entire painting. Place a board or heavy object with even weight distribution on it overnight.

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Question

What make of paint is cheap but still good quality?

Community Answer

St. Petersburg watercolors are cheap. Try Amazon. I was very happy with mine, which included a Kolinsky Sable Brush. If you are just starting out, Cotman or Windor & Newton Student Watercolors are good -- you only need 3 or 4 colors to start with.

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Question

What color paint should I use to tone down bright blue watercolor paint?

Community Answer

Assuming you're using something like an ultramarine blue, I suggest you experiment on a piece of scrap paper and first try adding more water to your mix, then perhaps a little red/crimson to turn the blue slightly violet. You could also try a little burnt umber, and that should turn it a little grey. I don't recommend you use Chinese white, it will only turn your blue cloudy and very opaque.

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Question

Will I need a paintboard to do watercolor painting?

Mallory Myers

Community Answer

No, you don't need a paint board. You can water color on a table.

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Question

How can l highlight my watercolor painting?

Community Answer

The best way is to preserve the white paper in the first place.This can be done by careful painting or perhaps using masking fluid. Masking fluid is a special rubber-like solution that dries on the paper, protecting that area whilst you paint and then will simply rub off to reveal the plain paper again.

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Question

Can I use a thin, cheap sheet of paper for watercolor painting?

Community Answer

It's better if you use actual watercolor paper. Regular notebook or print paper will work, just not as well. Watercolor paper gives you the full effect.

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Question

Why does my synthetic round brush soak up all the prepared colored water? It acts like a sponge!

Community Answer

That is a good thing! The more watercolor a brush can hold, the better. It saves reloading a brush and makes it easier to paint a wash.

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Question

How do I cover up small details?

Community Answer

To do small details, use a smaller brush with a thin tip. Hold it like a pencil and "draw" in your small details. To cover up details, just cover it with paint.

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Question

What weight paper is best to begin with?

Community Answer

The 140-pound paper is good to work with and easy to find. The 300-pound paper is really professional grade and more expensive, while the 90-pound paper will work but a little difficult due to the thinness.

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Question

How can I mix colors to make a shadow on my painting?

Community Answer

The first part of finding the right color for a shadow is to identify the color of the shadow. Green, grey, blue, and brown are the most common shadow colors. Once you determine which color is most dominant, lay down a wash of that color. Since watercolor pigments mix naturally, immediately putting on the secondary color should be effective.

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Question

Should I buy watercolor pencils or tubes for my entrance exam for fine arts?

Community Answer

Buy whichever you are stronger with. Since this is an entrance exam, highlight your strengths.

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Question

How do I store already mixed watercolor paint?

Community Answer

Just let it dry until you are ready to paint again. It re-wets nicely with water in a spray bottle or on a brush.

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Question

What colors do I mix to make a light tan?

Community Answer

Use red, green and yellow to make brown, and then add water to lighten the color to a light tan.

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Question

What is the best way for a beginner to get started?

Community Answer

Find a local teacher who takes beginners. They should explain the best equipment to use. And, take things step by step.

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Question

What brush size should I start with?

Community Answer

For big areas, use a big brush with a rounded edge. For smaller areas, try using a smaller and pointed brush.

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Question

Can I mix watercolor to make new colors?

Community Answer

Yes, but it will only work if your watercolor paint comes in a tube; if your paint comes in little pans on a palette, it will not work. You will need to squeeze out the colors you want first, then mix them, then add the water.

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Question

How can I show effective shadows and reflections on any wall or water body?

Community Answer

Use a darker color. For water, most likely a dark blue, and for a wall, depending on how dark you want your shadow to be, a variation of black and gray.

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Question

What is wet on wet, wet on damp, and wet on dry?

Community Answer

The former "wet" refers to the brush, with the latter referring to the paper.

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Question

What paper do I use for watercolor painting?

Community Answer

You can get pads of paper that are labeled as watercolor paper or that say they are good for watercolors. They're available at any art supply store.

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Question

How do I use different brushes in different pictures?

Community Answer

It depends on the picture. Usually, on the background, you'd use a broad, flat brush, but when you need a detailed brush, you must use a thinner brush.

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Question

Can I use cardstock for watercolor?

Cookies And Cream Poptart

Community Answer

You can use almost any surface for watercolor but watercolor paper is more effective.

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