I started out with this project wanting to show you how to do watercolor painting with the kids. I said yesterday in my blog we would be using real water colors from tubes not from those little cheap trays you buy in the school supply section. As I started the project I decided the best way to teach this to you was to show you the easiest way first so that you didn’t get frustrated and say no way.
So let’s get started with the 2 different types of watercolor product I’ll show you how to use. First there is tube colors that obviously come in a tube and then there is pencil water colors. The pencils are where we are going to start. Why? Because these will be the easiest for any adult or child to control. The first thing you will do is collect your supplies. I keep a watercolor box with me all the time in the Blue Happy Truck. I really do you never know when you will have down time or see something beautiful to paint. It stays in the cargo just like I have rope, work gloves, a flash light and lots of other items. When shopping and getting organized this is what’s in that box:
- a regular pencil
- watercolor paper
- watercolor pencils
- a small cup for water
- pencil sharpener
- a paper towel
You need an idea for your newest master piece and there is many ways to get that. You can free hand your idea or use a pattern from a coloring book, magazine or one of those new adult coloring books everyone is raving over. Try Pinterest just make sure it inspires you. If you don’t free hand you will need to transfer the design to the watercolor paper. You can by transfer paper at Hobby Lobby or Michael’s cheap or you can go to any office supply store and ask for carbon paper. If you use carbon transfer paper trace very softly or you will get hard black lines. Make sure that you use watercolor paper or your art will not be flat and will be a big disappointment.
Okay design ready now color it with the pencils. Yes that is what I said just go on color your design with what ever colors you want. There are a few things I can show you that will help your piece come out with depth and movement. If you look at the leaves I used different colors of greens so when I put the water to the colored areas it appears to have shadow and depth because of the layering of color. You can also see it with the big posy flower at the bottom of the piece. In the back ground I used a dark blue, light blue and yellow. I just lightly dusted the color in the area’s I wanted using the yellow at the top for a light effected. Once you have added the color where you want it you can then add the water, Start by lightly brushing the areas of the colors starting with the light area’s first. Dip your brush in the water and lightly tap it on the paper towel you don’t want to much water. Then just paint lightly blending each color together. It could be helpful to practice on a different piece of paper before you start your master piece.
I promise all ages can do this. On Monday’s blog I will show you how to use the tube watercolors. Just as easy but you are using straight color not pencil first its just you the brush, your design and your hand around a brush with color. I hope you enjoy this art that with a little practice you could be hooked. It’s FRIDAY so go pick up supplies and have a Blue Happy artsy weekend . On Monday we will have paint fun again. Have a Blue Happy Day by adding home decor painted by you and your family.
