Learn to draw by Tissa Hewavitarane:

Ways to start a watercolour

Since no two artists paint alike, they do not follow the same procedure in developing their work. But several steps might help to get things started. Classrooms often provide still life and model materials, while sketchbooks, photographs and imagination can add hundreds of ideas.

Small sketches are valuable in preparing the composition of major elements. Make about two by three inches pencil sketches of the main objects.

This is where arranging and rearranging should take place. Plan the design and provide for the centre of interest. Make several quick studies and select the one you like best. Transfer the sketch to the water sheet, taking care to keep the same proportions. Do not get too fussy with detail in this drawing concentrating instead on the placement of large shapes only.

Begin flowing light colours in large areas with a big brush. Use big strokes and do not worry about details. Wash in all sky and large shapes, negative and positive. Let areas dry before continuing, unless you purposely want them to run together.

Darker areas are added next, working from light to dark. Paint colour and value shapes only - not leaves, boards or windows. When these areas are dry, the details can be painted in with smaller brushes in darker values.

Colour areas can be altered by pulling colour washes over them and texture, lines and characteristic features can be added.

Pure wash paintings on dry paper are seldom done any more, although in the past, many artists use the technique almost exclusively.

Washes are large areas of colour applied evenly to the paper producing flat colour shapes. Usually several loaded brush full are required to cover the area.

The easiest way to apply are washes that can be laid from top to bottom. Start on a slanted surface and mix enough colour to cover the surface. Use the largest brush possible and load it with the mixture, applying it quickly in long even strokes. Keep the bottom of the wash very wet (leave the ridge of colour wetness there) apply the next brush full.

Repeat the process until the desired area is covered. Use the squeezed out brush or blotting paper to absorb the excess from the bottom of the shape, or else it will bleed back into the wash area as it dries producing an unwanted cloud or sunburst.

Clear skies and large flat shapes can be achieved only by using one of the wash techniques. Try each type several times to test your ability to control the application of such washes. Coloured washes can be applied over dry washes to attain luminosity, contrasting shapes or to darken the previous wash.