Learn to draw by Tissa Hewavitarane:

Basic techniques

[Part 2]

Each artist and teacher has his own pet methods for getting students started on watercolour, which seem to work best for him. There is no single "best way" to get going. Teachers have to try several ways and methods that seem to accomplish their purposes during the 'get-acquainted' period. Jumping directly into wet watercolour can often produce fear, a feeling of helplessness; or reverting to grade school practices. Several days or longer working with washing drawings, stressing value contrasts and wet-in-wet techniques, is often valuable in overcoming these problems.

Line can be included in the process, or not, but the use of limited values of wash tends to create the correct attitude towards the transparent application of colour. Still lifes or student models make excellent subject matter for such drawings and for later watercolours. Keep the values limited to three plus black and work from lightest areas to darkest.

Notice the effect of wet-into-wet areas, wet over dry, white space left untouched and contrasts obtained by overlapping washes. Work quickly and loosely to establish a painting quality. Explore methods of stimulating textures by spattering or allowing drips to run the course. Keep painting sessions relatively free of restrictions so that exploration can take place and discoveries can be made. Succeeding steps might involve the introduction of one or two colours, while keeping the subject matter and work methods the same.

Apply colour washes over the three value ink wash drawings. Substitute watercolours for the washes, but work in the same manner. Keep the first palettes limited in colour and stress transparency, overlapping and textural effects. Do not work initially for 'finished' product, but take pleasure in the process and the exciting discoveries that invariably take place.

Applying a loaded brush to paper is a delightful experience and should be experienced for itself. Emphasis on water washes has to be done rapidly to keep the tones of the wash even. Observe the painting here. It is a watercolour wash. There are wet and vibrant areas in various degrees.

In using brushes, young artists should learn at an early stage to use the largest ones first - No. 10-12. Continue to use them as long as possible in the painting process. Then go to a smaller size to paint fine lines, such as No. 1,2 and 3.