My friends have been asking me often to show how a beginner should proceed when using watercolors. Undoubtedly, a watercolor is a difficult medium to work with. Hence, here is my post to assist the newcomers / budding artists and make this artistic journey easy and enjoyable for them so that they don't get disheartened and give up in the initial stages. Here are a few tips to wade you through ~
First and foremost the novice artist should feel enthusiastic about this whole process and take small steps before taking big leaps. By this I mean that the apprentice should select a simple composition to start with. Once, the basics are learnt such as mixing of colors, handling of water in the brushes (moist / dry), harmony in the painting as a whole etc. Later on, fine techniques can be developed and applied. The whole idea is to start from simple and then proceed to complex details.
Secondly, remember never use a pure paint directly from the palette. Always mix it with some other color or a closer shade in order to give depth especially while painting nature and landscapes / sky scenes / leaves / trees / flowers.
Thirdly, don't load your brush with too much color. For transparent effects use lot of water, taking care that you don't make puddles on the paper.
Another tip is to keep one's brush moist. Dry brush will soak all the color that you have mixed leaving nothing for the next brush stroke. Always keep a tissue paper handy to absorb the extra water and to lift the extra color from the paper.
Practising art is very important. Art can't be learnt in a day. The more you practice, the better you become. Be consistent and paint often. Basically, give yourself time to play with colors. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Allow yourself the freedom to falter. Each practise session will build your confidence and make you strive for better results. This will help you in honing your painting skills. Here are a few easy singhroha art watercolor paintings that you can use as a reference material to start with ...
Maintain a sketchbook in which you can practise small isolated components / parts that will form together a whole painting at a later stage. For example- If you are planning to paint a landscape then, you can practise each component separately like trees, birds, houses, river, sky, clouds etc. The sketchbook is actually a mirror of your progress. It shows your evolution as an artist.
Never discard your old paintings or which you don't like since you are not pleased with the end result of your art piece. Other people may find it interesting and view the same in a different perspective, with an altogether different new approach.
Beginners should watch live painting by other artists. This will enhance their knowledge and aid in fastening their learning process. Nowadays so many videos are there in the market, giving detailed stepwise instructions with which one can paint side by side simultaneously. Simply, search for video lessons on You Tube.
Painting is a gradual ongoing learning process. With each new painting you grow as an artist. You derive immense pleasure and sense of achievement from the very fact that you have created such a pleasing art piece with your own hands. Your self esteem gets a boost by the appreciation of your artwork. Recognition and appreciation are stimulants to keep one motivated. It has been confirmed by the scientists too, that painting acts as a form of therapy for patients. It serves as a stress buster when you are completely engrossed in the process of creating something structural and also invokes a sense of achievement. At times, simple doodling is also helpful. Painting helps you loosen up and express yourself.
I think that's enough to keep you motivated for now. Enjoy Painting!
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