ART CLASS
AIMS |
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Painting
in watercolour is like an adventurer's quest, take one path and
you will discover brilliant, gem-like colours, another path will
lead you into a mire of colourless mud. The difference is knowing
how watercolour works and how different pigments react when mixed
together.
This journey of discovery can be one of joy if carried out with a fun outlook and in a structured way.
I hope, that here, beginners will find guidance - away from the
mire and muddy path, armed with newly aquired knowledge of well
tried and practical techniques.
Gradually building up the skills and confidence necessary to create those magical atmospheric results over which
the medium of watercolour, reigns supreme, in this realm where colours can glow..
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WATERCOLOUR
CLASS PROJECT
EXAMPLES
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Hello and welcome to WatercolourClass.co.uk
Happy New year - best wishes and good luck for 2013
class members please note occasionally certain passwords can cause login problems
The caps Lock button should not be used as this will often cause an error message to appear.
Please use the shift button when entering upper case text.
If you experience any difficulties using this site, or have any queries,
please don't hesitate to email me.
Occasionally members send payments via PayPal and the email address included therein does not work,
this means it is impossible for me to send members their username and password.
Please ensure that the email address, PayPal have in their records is current and actually works.
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These
few web-pages, which are based on my watercolour class projects, show
most of the watercolour paintings we managed to complete during the
last 8 years classes.
Here also are a few useful tips on how to successfully tackle the
initial and very important drawing stage.
The examples can be downloaded as free pictures from the web-pages
and printed off for your own use.
Good quality pencils are recommended, 1B or 2B. Though continually
having to resharpen can be tedious.
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Keep your pencil
sharp and use the minimum of pressure to very lightly draw a grid
to suit the size of your own watercolour paper, it will then be relatively
easy to copy the image square by square.
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A
sharp pencil* and a light touch is good practice especially when
roughing out your drawing.
Do not erase the grid lines until the painting is finished and totally
dry. The reason will be explained later!
If you need to erase errors in your drawing, a clean piece of blue-tack
(or white-tack) dabbed or gently rolled over the pencil line should
remove sufficient of the graphite to give a satisfactory result. Remember
always avoid excess pressure. |
A sharp pencil*
STAEDTLER graphite 779 - holder with 0.5mm HB refills
This is the pencil I've been using for the past 12 months, it
never needs sharpening, though it takes a little getting used to,
holding it so that it is almost at right-angles to the paper and a
3mm max' projection of lead, reduces the potential for breaking the
lead refills. I never use any other pencil |
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Video clip guide for the
use of Masking Fluid |
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Video clip guide
How to stretch.
your watercolour paper
to board. |
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PAINTING OLD BRICKWORK:
Here are two video clips made while painting a commission of an old country cottage. One is of old irregular brickwork and the other is a simple sky that doesn't detract from the overall picture. |
CLEMATIS COTTAGE |
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PAINTING A FLAT WASH:
The beginner's nightmare - what is the secret of painting a flat wash and changing colour half way through, without getting streaks and cauliflowers??
One of the projects below covers this thorny problem - but because it is so important and intrinsically necessary to get to grips with this basic requirement, I've decided to cover it in the free pages, so you can access this secret now as an introduction to the website. Click on the curtain of colour link below. |
| THE CURTAIN OF COLOUR TECHNIQUE |
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Project~Links:
these take you to the class projects, originally designed and
intended for class members to download and print off for their
own personal use in my classes.
Each image has two formats. The 1st. image, the primary drawing
is A4 size overlaid with a 3x4 square grid layout. The 2nd.
image is usually the finished picture, though occasionally 2
or 3 progressive stages are included, providing each student
with a personal reference and colour notes.
PTP's (Private Tuition Pages) are for paying members
and require a username and password to access the information
and images, these are available at the weekly classes, via e-mail
or over the phone. |
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HI-RES
IMAGES
Ultra-Hi-Res (UHR) versions of class projects will usually be included
file size approx' 300K to 400K - 1500pixels x 1120pixels approx'
example "Winter
Landscape" 330KB - after viewing
use your browser's back button to return to this page.
FREE PICTURES
The fourteen projects
listed immediately below were produced during 2002 & 2003
and are now available as FREE DOWNLOADS to watercolourists
who wish to use them only as a guide.
| Project
name~Links |
Source
material
photo's etc. |
Project
name~Links |
Local classes
Milwich class will continue in September though the format will be changed.
Watercolour class members - Please Note:
CLASS START DATES
Class members will receive a calendar of class meetings
at the beginning of each term it will also indicate the new class
username & password to access all on-line PTP pages.
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PLEASE NOTE: ON-LINE MEMBERSHIP AVAILABILITY
GIVING ACCESS TO ALL PAGES
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS ARE ON HOLD
WHILE MY MOVE TO CALIFORNIA IS IN PROGRESS
CALL BACK LATER IN THE NEW YEAR FOR
MORE INFORMATION
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A donation/subscription of £6.50
will be welcome from new on-line visitors wishing
to take advantage of the class projects, pictures and free
downloads,
available in the PTP members pages below.
The class projects were originally designed and intended for class members
to download and print off for their own personal use during my local classes.
(international visitors
can access todays exchange rates)
Please Note: At this stage not all of the PTP pages
contain completed instructions
for colour mixes and methods of application,
however, the projects do have all the relevant pictures.
As the site is improved with full textual descriptions added to existing projects,
plus video demo's and more projects periodically being added, the cost of joining
will eventually increase until the full annual membership fee of
£14 - (Fourteen UK Pounds) is reached .
This donation of £6.50 guarantees you access to all pages
for a COMPLETE TWELVE MONTH period
whatever improvements and additions are made,
starting on the day you receive your password.
subscriptions and duration of membership will
be reviewed at the end of
2013
Your early support for the
On-Line Watercolour Tuition Pages
is greatly appreciated and will be beneficial.
( As more projects are added, the subscription will increase
)
Passwords will be sent to you by email following receipt of
your donation.
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I am introducing a new element of guidance into the project
descriptions during the next few months. They will take the form of small demo'
videos with a voice over. I will be using the Canon FS100 camcorder,
the lighting over my easel is in place, so all is ready to proceed.
The trials are coming along OK and the 1st. can be seen
on the "Windmill in Morning Mist" project.
The only problem may be with connection
speeds,
If you don't have high speed broadband you may encounter buffering delays.
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Latest video clip pages:
Windmill in morning mist - 1st. trial clips uploaded
Top Lane Farm in Summer - 9 video clips
Top Lane Farm in Winter - 11 video clipse.
Crowdecote Hill - 8 video clips.
Sandcastles - 8 video clips
Daffodils - 8 video clips
Poppies - 5 video clips
How to stretch watercolour paper video now available
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PDF files are used extensively throughout this site
you will need the Adobe reader to view them.
Printing class project artwork via Adobe reader is so
much easier. |
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All future
class projects will be *PTP
(username and password required - local class members see your class
calendar)
Links to 11 x 8 inch drawings and paintings now also included
UHR or ultra hi-res pics are approx' 1500 x 1100pixels in size sometimes
larger
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Clicking on any *PTP project name activates the password box.
You will require a user-name and a password to access these projects. |
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Click
the titles
to access the
The Drawings |
Links
to
11" x 8" images - and
or Ultra-Hi-Res version |
Click
the titles
to access the
The Paintings |
PTP projects for January
to March 2004
PTP projects for September
to December 2004
| The
Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The
Paintings |
PTP projects for January
to March 2005
| The
Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The
Paintings |
PTP projects for September
to December 2005
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels
approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are all 1500p x 1100p approx 300KB unless
stated otherwise.
| The
Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The
Paintings |
PTP projects for January
to April 2006
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels
approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are all 1200p x 900p approx 300KB, unless
stated otherwise.
| The
Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The
Paintings |
PTP projects for September
to December 2006
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels
approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width
- the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
Items shown in RED are still to be added.
| The
Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The
Paintings |
PTP projects for January
to April 2007
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels
approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are approx' 1200pixels x 900pixels - the file
size being 200 to 400KB
Items shown in RED will be added shortly.
| The
Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The
Paintings |
PTP projects for September
to December 2007
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels
approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width
- the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
Items shown in RED are still to be added.
| The
Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The
Paintings |
PTP projects for January
to April 2008
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels
approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width
- the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
Items shown in RED are still to be added.
| The
Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The
Paintings |
PTP projects for September to December 2008
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width - the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
| The Drawings |
11" x 8" images and or Ultra-Hi-Res |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for January to April 2009
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width - the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
| The Drawings |
11" x 8" images and Ultra-Hi-Res |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for September to December 2009
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width - the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
Items shown in RED are being painted or prepared for the website.
| The Drawings |
Additional Info' |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for January to April 2010
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width - the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
Items shown in RED are being painted or prepared for the website.
| The Drawings |
Additional Info' |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for April to May 2010
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width - the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
Items shown in RED are being painted or prepared for the website.
| The Drawings |
Additional Info' |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for September to December 2010
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width - the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
Items shown in RED are being painted or prepared for the website.
| The Drawings |
Additional Info' |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for January to April 2011
NEW feature for 2011: Video clips now included - each clip lasts between 7 to 15 minutes
| The Drawings |
Additional Info' |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for MAY 2011
NEW feature for 2011: Video clips now included - each clip lasts between 7 to 15 minutes
| The Drawings |
Additional Info' |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for September to December 2011
Local classes please note passwords are causing some problems
The caps Lock button should not be used as this will often cause an error message to appear
Please use the shift button when entering upper case text.
image versions #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 are all 770pixels x 550pixels approx 70KB
UHR (ultra-high-res) versions are between 1200pixels and 1500pixels in width - the approx file size being 150 to 400KB
Items shown in RED are being painted or prepared for the website.
| The Drawings |
Additional Info' |
The Paintings |
PTP projects for January to April 2012
| The Drawings |
Additional Info' |
The Paintings |
TRACING YOUR DRAWING ONTO WATERCOLOUR PAPER: As you know, using an eraser on watercolour paper before you apply colour washes, does distress the paper's surface causing ugly marks to show through colour washes and can often spoil the fresh look of a painting. Tracing the finished image onto your watercolour paper is a method used by many artists to achieve a fast transfer of your sketch to watercolour paper. Assuming your sketch or original drawing is the same size as your watercolour paper and intended painting. If you don't have a light box, fasten the drawing to be transferred to a window pane with tape and fix your watercolour paper over it, you should be able to see your drawing through the watercolour paper well enough to trace the finished image onto the paper.
With this in mind I have produced all recent drawings as two halfs of a 14 x 10½ inch size sheet, as well as the usual size gridded drawing, so the PDF files contains 3 pages.
Normally each term's first project is a half sheet (11 x 7½ inches) the picture itself being 10 x 7½ as is Lake Llyn Gwynant and also The Riverside, so these projects only contain a single PDF - A4 sheet. |
| When printing project images (other than PDF files) that are Landscape Format you may find with large images that only half the image is being printed on a page that is "Upright". |
Clicking on any *PTP project name activates the password box.
You will require a user-name and a password to access these projects. |
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| Useful Mixing Tips from The Projects' Standard Notes: |
Planning the painting: This is very important!
First read through all the notes related to the particular project - mentally paint the picture before proceeding - analyse the project source pictures - and PLEASE be aware of the colour mixes you are about to apply to each area, and the order in which they are applied, try visualising the result. Will the brush you are about to use carry enough colour - have you mixed enough colour - is the mix too strong or too weak? Try it out on your - trial pad!
Application of washes.
This should be quick using as few strokes as possible to cover any area being worked on. A minimal amount of brush-strokes equals greater purity and translucency of colour. Too much dabbing and scrubbing when applying the colour kills its freshness.
Basic Mixing Method.
More water in the wash gives a pale or weak wash, more colour produces a stronger wash. Most mixes require only two colours, one will be darker than the other. Mix sufficient quantity of the lighter colour and just keep adding small quantities of the darker colour until you feel happy with it, keep checking your progress on your trial pad.
Mixing Lilac or [ ML] Mauve Lilac:
often used for distant hills or trees, water, sky and shadows on snow :
From the feedback I've received mixing this colour seems to require a comment. When mixing two colours where one is much darker than the other, I would always mix sufficient quantity of just the pale colour, adding the darker colour by small amounts, until the correct tone and hue are achieved, continually using my test pad. However when both colours are dark, you need to decide which has the most intense staining quality. In this instance I feel that #1[Alizarin Crimson] is far more intense than #2 [French Ultramarine] so first mix sufficient #2 of the correct strength tone and hue, also mix a small quantity of #1 as a strong wash then add very small amounts of this to your Blue wash until Lilac is reached, it's better to be too blue than violet. Try it out on your - trial pad! |
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